Named characters
3837 Robert (470)/Robert Audley (278)/Mr. Audley (209)/Mr. Robert Audley (43)/Audley (5)/ROBERT (1)/Mister Audley (1)/thither Mr. Robert Audley (1)/poor Robert (1)/ROBERT AUDLEY (1)/Mr. Robert (1)
2926 [NARRATOR]
1082 Lady Audley (217)/Audley (15)/this Lady Audley (1)
842 George (140)/George Talboys (91)/Mr. Talboys (35)/Mr. George Talboys (7)/Talboys (5)/little George Talboys (5)/Master Talboys (4)/little George (3)/This George Talboys (1)/GEORGE TALBOYS (1)/passive George Talboys (1)/poor George Talboys (1)/Mr. George (1)/the Mr. Talboys (1)/Master George (1)/Poor Mr. Talboys (1)/Georgie (1)/a Mr. George Talboys (1)/This Mr. Talboys (1)/this Mr. Talboys (1)/This Mr. George Talboys (1)/Master George Talboys (1)
607 Alicia (174)/Miss Audley (36)/Miss Alicia (11)/Alicia Audley (9)/Miss Alicia Audley (3)/ALICIA AUDLEY (1)/poor Alicia (1)
516 Phoebe (110)/Phoebe Marks (49)/poor Phoebe (1)/Marks (1)
514 Sir Michael (134)/Sir Michael Audley (37)/Dear Sir Michael (1)
430 Luke (69)/Luke Marks (25)/Mr. Marks (18)/Marks (8)/Mr. Luke Marks (3)/Luke marks (1)
283 Clara Talboys (36)/Miss Talboys (21)/Clara (16)/Miss Clara Talboys (1)/CLARA TALBOYS (1)
268 Miss Graham (23)/Lucy (18)/Lucy Graham (16)/Miss Lucy Graham (6)/the late Miss Lucy Graham (2)/the late Miss Graham (1)/a Miss Graham (1)
245 Mr. Talboys (31)/Harcourt Talboys (17)/Mr. Harcourt Talboys (16)/Mr. Harcourt - Talboys (1)
190 Lucy (35)/Lucy Audley (17)
158 George Talboys (57)/George (38)/Mrs. Talboys (19)/Mrs. George Talboys (2)/a Mrs. Talboys (1)/the late Mrs. Talboys (1)/poor Mrs. George (1)/this Mrs. Talboys (1)
88 Georgey (26)/Master Georgey (5)/little Georgey (4)
87 Sir Harry Towers (13)/Sir Harry (5)/Towers (2)/Harry Towers (1)/Oh Sir Harry (1)/Harry (1)
86 Helen Talboys (30)/Helen (5)/Talboys (2)/HELEN (2)/white—"Helen Talboys (1)/HELEN TALBOYS (1)
82 Bob (35)/poor Cousin Bob (1)
81 Mr. Maldon (31)/Maldon (2)/a Mr. Maldon (1)
77 Mr. Dawson (35)/Dawson (3)/poor Mr. Dawson (1)
76 Mrs. Vincent (37)/a Mrs. Vincent (2)/young Vincent (1)/Vincent (1)/this Mrs. Vincent (1)
73 Miss Tonks (21)/Tonks (10)
55 Mrs. Plowson (25)/Plowson (1)/a Mrs. Plowson (1)/this Mrs. Plowson (1)
54 Dr. Mosgrave (25)/Dr. Alwyn Mosgrave (2)/Alwyn Mosgrave (1)/this Dr. Mosgrave (1)
48 Mrs. Maloney (22)/honest Mrs. Maloney (1)
44 Miss Morley (10)
44 Captain Maldon (12)
28 God (26)/Oh God (1)
28 Georgey (6)/little Georgey (4)/Little Georgey (3)
27 Alicia (9)/Poor Alicia (4)/ALICIA (1)
27 Poor Robert (1)
25 Mrs. Barkamb (19)
24 Mrs. Marks (13)
17 Lieutenant Maldon (5)
17 George (11)/Poor George (2)
15 Papa (5)/papa (1)
15 Caesar (7)
14 Heaven (11)/Good Heaven (3)
13 Monsieur Val (9)
11 Mr. White (3)
11 Matilda (8)
11 Junius Brutus (5)
10 Mrs. Dawson (8)
10 Richards (5)/Mr. Richards (3)
10 this Mrs. Taylor (1)
8 Mrs. M. (5)
8 Fate (1)
7 Martin (3)/Mr. Martin (1)
7 Little George (2)
6 Audley Court (6)
6 Mount Stanning (6)
6 Major Melville (2)
5 this Mr. Thomas Brown (2)/Brown (1)/Thomas Brown (1)
5 The Newfoundland (1)
5 Miss Bince (2)/Miss Elizabeth Ann Bince (1)
5 Helen Maldon (4)/Helen (1)
5 Gran'pa (4)
5 Mr. Marchmont (5)
5 Billy (3)/William the Conqueror (1)
5 Mrs. Martyn (4)
5 DEAR AUDLEY (1)/DEAR MR . AUDLEY (1)
5 Monsieur (1)
5 Mr. Mark (1)
5 Atkinson (3)/Farmer Atkinson (1)
4 Cupid (1)
4 Jonathan (2)
3 Beethoven (3)
3 Mendelssohn (3)
3 Byron (3)
3 Wouvermans (1)/a Wouvermans (1)/the Wouvermans (1)
3 Smithers (3)
3 Wilson (2)
3 Fanny (1)/Miss Fanny (1)
3 Ged (3)
3 Madame Taylor (2)/Taylor (1)
2 Moore (1)/Bamfyld Moore Carew (1)
2 German (2)
2 Benson (2)
2 Lady Towers (2)
2 Tom Jones (1)/the Tom Jones (1)
2 D'yer (2)
2 Niobe (1)
2 Mrs. Jones (1)/Jones (1)
2 Poussins (2)
2 Hazlitt (1)
2 Macbeth (1)
2 Adam (2)
2 Cousin Robert (2)
2 Mr. Holman Hunt (1)
2 Benvenuto Cellini (1)/The Benvenuto Cellini (1)
2 Louis the Great (1)/Louis (1)
2 Lady Theresa (1)
2 DEAR WILMINGTON (1)
2 Miss Susan Martin (1)
2 M'sieu (2)
2 the Mars (1)
2 John Milton (1)
2 Atkinsons (1)
Major entities (proper, common)
FAC
38 Audley Court
23 Figtree Court/shady Figtree Court
14 the Castle Inn/Castle Inn
12 Mount Stanning
11 Crescent Villas
6 Acacia Cottage
5 Chancery Lane
4 Fleet street
4 Audley/Audley church
3 Grange Heath
84 the house/The house
72 the Court/the court
69 the room
56 home
45 here
21 there
19 the place/The place
17 the library
15 the hall/The hall
15 the inn
GPE
53 London
40 Essex
39 England
35 Southampton
25 Wildernsea
22 Liverpool
22 Australia
21 Ventnor
21 Brentwood
17 Dorsetshire
16 town
14 the village
6 the county
5 there
5 the village of Audley
4 here
4 the town
3 the old place
3 the county of/the County of
3 the place/The place
LOC
13 Mount Stanning
2 the Mersey
1 the Thames
1 Isle of Wight
1 the Victoria Regia
1 the German Ocean
1 the Continent
36 the world/The world
12 the water
8 the sea
8 this earth
7 the meadows
6 earth
6 the earth
4 the fish - pond
4 the Continent/the continent
4 the universe
PER
1011 Robert/Robert Audley/Mr. Audley/Mr. Robert Audley/Audley/ROBERT/Mister Audley/thither Mr. Robert Audley/poor Robert/ROBERT AUDLEY/Mr. Robert
304 George/George Talboys/Mr. Talboys/Mr. George Talboys/Talboys/little George Talboys/Master Talboys/little George/This George Talboys/GEORGE TALBOYS/passive George Talboys/poor George Talboys/Mr. George/the Mr. Talboys/Master George/Poor Mr. Talboys/Georgie/a Mr. George Talboys/This Mr. Talboys/this Mr. Talboys/This Mr. George Talboys/Master George Talboys
235 Alicia/Miss Audley/Miss Alicia/Alicia Audley/Miss Alicia Audley/ALICIA AUDLEY/poor Alicia
233 Lady Audley/Audley/this Lady Audley
172 Sir Michael/Sir Michael Audley/Dear Sir Michael
161 Phoebe/Phoebe Marks/poor Phoebe/Marks
124 Luke/Luke Marks/Mr. Marks/Marks/Mr. Luke Marks/Luke marks
120 George Talboys/George/Mrs. Talboys/Mrs. George Talboys/a Mrs. Talboys/the late Mrs. Talboys/poor Mrs. George/this Mrs. Talboys
75 Clara Talboys/Miss Talboys/Clara/Miss Clara Talboys/CLARA TALBOYS
67 Miss Graham/Lucy/Lucy Graham/Miss Lucy Graham/the late Miss Lucy Graham/the late Miss Graham/a Miss Graham
440 my lady/My lady/My Lady
138 sir
72 the young man/The young man
71 his wife/His wife
64 the baronet/The baronet
51 his friend/His friend
45 the man/The man
45 his uncle/his Uncle
42 the old man/The old man
42 the boy/The boy
ORG
1 The Chelmsford Insurance Company
1 a cavalry regiment
1 the company
1 the dear , lazy machinery of government
1 a respectable school
1 no army
1 the navy
VEH
3 the Victoria Regia
12 the train/The train
11 the carriage
10 the vessel
7 the vehicle
5 the cab/The cab
4 the first train
3 the Argus
3 a vessel
3 a carriage
3 the ship/The ship
Text
[It]368-it lay down in [a hollow , rich with fine old timber and luxuriant pastures]369-a hollow , rich with fine old timber and luxuriant pastures ; and [you]370-you came upon [it]368-it through [an avenue of limes]371-an avenue of limes , bordered on either side by meadows , over the high hedges of which [the cattle]372-the cattle looked inquisitively at [you]370-you as [you]370-you passed , wondering , perhaps , what [you]370-you wanted ; for there was no thorough - fare , and unless [you]370-you were going to [the Court]373-the court [you]370-you had no business [there]374-there at all . At the end of [this avenue]375-this avenue there was an old arch and [a clock tower]376-a clock tower , with a stupid , bewildering clock , which had only one hand — and which jumped straight from one hour to the next — and was therefore always in extremes . Through this arch [you]370-you walked straight into [the gardens of [Audley Court]1-audley court]377-the gardens of audley court . [A smooth lawn]378-a smooth lawn lay before [you]370-you , dotted with groups of rhododendrons , which grew in more perfection here than anywhere else in [the county]379-the county . To the right there were [the kitchen gardens]380-the kitchen gardens , [the fish - pond]381-the fish - pond , and [an orchard bordered by a dry moat]382-an orchard bordered by a dry moat , and a broken ruin of a wall , in some places thicker than [it]383-it was high , and everywhere overgrown with trailing ivy , yellow stonecrop , and dark moss . To the left there was [a broad graveled walk]384-a broad graveled walk , down which , years ago , when [the place]385-the place had been [a convent]386-a convent , [the quiet nuns]387-the quiet nuns had walked hand in hand ; a wall bordered with espaliers , and shadowed on one side by goodly oaks , which shut out the flat landscape , and circled in [the house]388-the house and [gardens]389-gardens with a darkening shelter . [The house]388-the house faced the arch , and occupied three sides of [a quadrangle]391-a quadrangle . [It]388-the house was very old , and very irregular and rambling . The windows were uneven ; some small , some large , some with heavy stone mullions and rich stained glass ; others with frail lattices that rattled in every breeze ; others so modern that they might have been added only yesterday . Great piles of chimneys rose up here and there behind the pointed gables , and seemed as if [they]392-they were so broken down by age and long service that they must have fallen but for the straggling ivy which , crawling up the walls and trailing even over the roof , wound itself about them and supported them . The principal door was squeezed into a corner of [a turret at one angle of [the building]394-the building]393-a turret at one angle of the building , as if [it]388-the house were in hiding from [dangerous visitors]395-dangerous visitors , and wished to keep itself a secret — a noble door for all that — old oak , and studded with great square - headed iron nails , and so thick that the sharp iron knocker struck upon it with a muffled sound , and [the visitor]396-the visitor rung a clanging bell that dangled in a corner among the ivy , lest the noise of the knocking should never penetrate [the stronghold]397-the stronghold . [A glorious old place]398-a glorious old place . [A place that [visitors]400-visitors fell in raptures with ; feeling a yearning wish to have done with life , and to stay [there]374-there forever , staring into [the cool fish - ponds]402-the cool fish - ponds and counting the bubbles as the roach and carp rose to the surface of [the water]403-the water]399-a place that visitors fell in raptures with ; feeling a yearning wish to have done with life , and to stay there forever , staring into the cool fish - ponds and counting the bubbles as the roach and carp rose to the surface of the water . [A spot in which peace seemed to have taken up [her]405-her abode]404-a spot in which peace seemed to have taken up her abode , setting [her]405-her soothing hand on every tree and flower , on [the still ponds]406-the still ponds and [quiet alleys]407-quiet alleys , [the shady corners of [the old - fashioned rooms]409-the old - fashioned rooms]408-the shady corners of the old - fashioned rooms , the deep window - seats behind the painted glass , [the low meadows]410-the low meadows and [the stately avenues]411-the stately avenues — ay , even upon [the stagnant well , which , cool and sheltered as all else in [the old place]413-the old place]412-the stagnant well , which , cool and sheltered as all else in the old place , hid itself away in a shrubbery behind [the gardens]414-the gardens , with an idle handle that was never turned and a lazy rope so rotten that the pail had broken away from it , and had fallen into [the water]403-the water . [A noble place]416-a noble place ; inside as well as out , [a noble place]416-a noble place — [a house in which [you]419-you incontinently lost [yourself]419-you if ever [you]419-you were so rash as to attempt to penetrate [its]418-a house in which you incontinently lost yourself if ever you were so rash as to attempt to penetrate its mysteries alone mysteries alone]418-a house in which you incontinently lost yourself if ever you were so rash as to attempt to penetrate its mysteries alone ; [a house in which [no one room]421-no one room had any sympathy with another]420-a house in which no one room had any sympathy with another , every chamber running off at a tangent into [an inner chamber]422-an inner chamber , and through that down some narrow staircase leading to a door which , in its turn , led back into that very part of [the house from which [you]419-you thought [yourself]419-you the furthest]423-the house from which you thought yourself the furthest ; [a house that could never have been planned by [any mortal architect]425-any mortal architect , but must have been the handiwork of [that good old builder]426-that good old builder]424-a house that could never have been planned by any mortal architect , but must have been the handiwork of that good old builder , Time , who , adding [a room]427-a room one year , and knocking down [a room]427-a room another year , toppling down a chimney coeval with [the Plantagenets]429-the plantagenets , and setting up one in the style of the Tudors ; shaking down a bit of Saxon wall , allowing a Norman arch to stand here ; throwing in a row of high narrow windows in the reign of [Queen Anne]145-queen anne , and joining on [a dining - room]430-a dining - room after the fashion of the time of [Hanoverian George I]431-hanoverian george i , to [a refectory that had been standing since the Conquest]432-a refectory that had been standing since the conquest , had contrived , in some eleven centuries , to run up [such [a mansion]434-a mansion as was not elsewhere to be met with throughout [the county of]435-the county of [Essex]2-essex]433-such a mansion as was not elsewhere to be met with throughout the county of essex . Of course , in [such a house]436-such a house there were [secret chambers]437-secret chambers ; [the little daughter of [the present owner]439-the present owner]438-the little daughter of the present owner , [Sir Michael Audley]146-sir michael , had fallen by accident upon the discovery of one . A board had rattled under [her]438-the little daughter of the present owner feet in [the great nursery]440-the great nursery where [she]438-the little daughter of the present owner played , and on attention being drawn to it , it was found to be loose , and so removed , revealed a ladder , leading to a hiding - place between the floor of [the nursery]441-the nursery and the ceiling of [the room below]442-the room below — a hiding - place so small that [[he]439-the present owner who had hid there]443-he who had hid there must have crouched on [his]439-the present owner hands and knees or lain at full length , and yet large enough to contain a quaint old carved oak chest , half filled with [priests]444-priests ' vestments , which had been hidden away , no doubt , in those cruel days when the life of [a man]445-a man was in danger if [he]445-a man was discovered to have harbored [a Roman Catholic priest]446-a roman catholic priest , or to have mass said in [[his]445-a man house]447-his house . [The broad outer moat]448-the broad outer moat was dry and grass - grown , and the laden trees of [the orchard]449-the orchard hung over [it]448-the broad outer moat with gnarled , straggling branches that drew fantastical shadows upon the green slope . Within [this moat]450-this moat there was , as [I]0-i have said , [the fish - pond]381-the fish - pond — a sheet of water that extended the whole length of [the garden]452-the garden and bordering which there was [an avenue called the lime - tree walk]453-an avenue called the lime - tree walk ; [an avenue so shaded from the sun and sky , so screened from observation by the thick shelter of the over - arching trees that it seemed [a chosen place for secret meetings]455-a chosen place for secret meetings or for stolen interviews]454-an avenue so shaded from the sun and sky , so screened from observation by the thick shelter of the over - arching trees that it seemed a chosen place for secret meetings or for stolen interviews ; a place in which a conspiracy might have been planned , or [a lover]456-a lover 's vow registered with equal safety ; and yet [it]453-an avenue called the lime - tree walk was scarcely twenty paces from [the house]388-the house . At the end of [this dark arcade]458-this dark arcade there was the shrubbery , where , half buried among the tangled branches and the neglected weeds , stood the rusty wheel of [that old well of which [I]0-i have spoken]459-that old well of which i have spoken . [It]459-that old well of which i have spoken had been of good service in [its]459-that old well of which i have spoken time , no doubt ; and [busy nuns]460-busy nuns have perhaps drawn the cool water with [their]460-busy nuns own fair hands ; but it had fallen into disuse now , and scarcely [any one at [Audley Court]1-audley court]461-any one at audley court knew whether [the spring]462-the spring had dried up or not . But sheltered as was the solitude of [this lime - tree walk]463-this lime - tree walk , [I]0-i doubt very much if [it]463-this lime - tree walk was ever put to any romantic uses . Often in the cool of the evening [Sir Michael Audley]146-sir michael would stroll up and down smoking [his]146-sir michael cigar , with [his]146-sir michael dogs at [his]146-sir michael heels , and [[his]146-sir michael pretty young wife]464-his pretty young wife dawdling by [his]146-sir michael side ; but in about ten minutes [the baronet]465-the baronet and [[his]146-sir michael companion]466-his companion would grow tired of the rustling limes and the still water , hidden under the spreading leaves of the water - lilies , and the long green vista with the broken well at the end , and would stroll back to [the drawing - room]467-the drawing - room , where [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady played dreamy melodies by [Beethoven]147-beethoven and [Mendelssohn]148-mendelssohn till [[her]468-my lady husband]469-her husband fell asleep in [his]469-her husband easy - chair . [Sir Michael Audley]146-sir michael was fifty - six years of age , and [he]146-sir michael had married [a second wife]470-a second wife three months after [his]146-sir michael fifty - fifth birthday . [He]146-sir michael was [a big man , tall and stout , with a deep , sonorous voice , handsome black eyes , and a white beard]471-a big man , tall and stout , with a deep , sonorous voice , handsome black eyes , and a white beard — a white beard which made [him]146-sir michael look venerable against [his]146-sir michael will , for [he]146-sir michael was as active as [a boy]472-a boy , and [one of the hardest riders in [the country]474-the country]473-one of the hardest riders in the country . For seventeen years [he]146-sir michael had been [a widower]475-a widower with [an only child]476-an only child , [a daughter]477-a daughter , [Alicia Audley]149-alicia , now eighteen , and by no means too well pleased at having [a step - mother]478-a step - mother brought [home]479-home to [the Court]373-the court ; for [Miss Alicia]149-alicia had reigned supreme in [[[her]149-alicia father]481-her father 's house]482-her father 's house since [her]149-alicia earliest childhood , and had carried the keys , and jingled them in the pockets of [her]149-alicia silk aprons , and lost them in [the shrubbery]483-the shrubbery , and dropped them into [the pond]484-the pond , and given all manner of trouble about them from the hour in which [she]149-alicia entered [her]149-alicia teens , and had , on that account , deluded [herself]149-alicia into the sincere belief , that for the whole of that period , [she]149-alicia had been keeping [the house]388-the house . But [Miss Alicia]149-alicia 's day was over ; and now , when [she]149-alicia asked anything of [the housekeeper]486-the housekeeper , [the housekeeper]486-the housekeeper would tell [her]149-alicia that [she]486-the housekeeper would speak to [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , or [she]486-the housekeeper would consult [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , and if [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady pleased it should be done . So [[the baronet]465-the baronet 's daughter]492-the baronet 's daughter , who was [an excellent horsewoman and a very clever artist]493-an excellent horsewoman and a very clever artist , spent most of [her]492-the baronet 's daughter time out of doors , riding about [the green lanes]494-the green lanes , and sketching [the cottage children]495-the cottage children , and [the plow - boys]496-the plow - boys , and the cattle , and all manner of animal life that came in [her]492-the baronet 's daughter way . [She]492-the baronet 's daughter set [her]492-the baronet 's daughter face with a sulky determination against any intimacy between [herself]492-the baronet 's daughter and [[the baronet]465-the baronet 's young wife]498-the baronet 's young wife ; and amiable as [that lady]499-that lady was , [she]492-the baronet 's daughter found it quite impossible to overcome [Miss Alicia]149-alicia 's prejudices and dislike ; or to convince [the spoilt girl]500-the spoilt girl that [she]492-the baronet 's daughter had not done [her]492-the baronet 's daughter a cruel injury by marrying [Sir Michael Audley]146-sir michael . The truth was that [Lady Audley]150-lady audley had , in becoming [the wife of [Sir Michael]502-sir michael]501-the wife of sir michael , made one of those apparently advantageous matches which are apt to draw upon [a woman]503-a woman the envy and hatred of [her]503-a woman sex . [She]150-lady audley had come into [the neighborhood]504-the neighborhood as [a governess in the family of a surgeon in [the village near [Audley Court]1-audley court]506-the village near audley court]505-a governess in the family of a surgeon in the village near audley court . [No one]507-no one knew anything of [her]150-lady audley , except that [she]150-lady audley came in answer to an advertisement which [Mr. Dawson]151-mr. dawson , [the surgeon]508-the surgeon , had inserted in The Times . [She]150-lady audley came from [London]3-london ; and the only reference [she]150-lady audley gave was to [a lady at [a school at [Brompton]4-brompton]510-a school at brompton , where [she]150-lady audley had once been [a teacher]511-a teacher]509-a lady at a school at brompton , where she had once been a teacher . But this reference was so satisfactory that [none other]512-none other was needed , and [Miss Lucy Graham]152-miss graham was received by [the surgeon]508-the surgeon as [the instructress of [[his]508-the surgeon daughters]515-his daughters]514-the instructress of his daughters . [Her]150-lady audley accomplishments were so brilliant and numerous , that it seemed strange that [she]150-lady audley should have answered an advertisement offering such very moderate terms of remuneration as those named by [Mr. Dawson]151-mr. dawson ; but [Miss Graham]152-miss graham seemed perfectly well satisfied with [her]150-lady audley situation , and [she]152-miss graham taught [the girls]516-the girls to play sonatas by [Beethoven]147-beethoven , and to paint from nature after [Creswick]153-creswick , and walked through [a dull , out - of - the - way village]517-a dull , out - of - the - way village to [the humble little church]518-the humble little church , three times every Sunday , as contentedly as if [she]152-miss graham had no higher aspiration in [the world]519-the world than to do so all the rest of [her]152-miss graham life . People who observed this , accounted for it by saying that it was a part of [her]152-miss graham amiable and gentle nature always to be light - hearted , happy and contented under any circumstances . Wherever [she]152-miss graham went [she]152-miss graham seemed to take joy and brightness with [her]152-miss graham . In the cottages of [the poor]520-the poor [her]152-miss graham fair face shone like a sunbeam . [She]152-miss graham would sit for a quarter of an hour talking to [some old woman]521-some old woman , and apparently as pleased with the admiration of [a toothless crone]522-a toothless crone as if [she]152-miss graham had been listening to the compliments of [a marquis]523-a marquis ; and when [she]152-miss graham tripped away , leaving nothing behind [her]152-miss graham ( for [her]152-miss graham poor salary gave no scope to [her]152-miss graham benevolence ) , [the old woman]524-the old woman would burst out into senile raptures with [her]152-miss graham grace , beauty , and [her]152-miss graham kindliness , such as [she]152-miss graham never bestowed upon [[the vicar]525-the vicar 's wife]526-the vicar 's wife , who half fed and clothed [her]152-miss graham . For [you]527-you see , [Miss Lucy Graham]152-miss graham was blessed with that magic power of fascination , by which [a woman]503-a woman can charm with a word or intoxicate with a smile . [Every one]529-every one loved , admired , and praised [her]152-miss graham . [The boy who opened the five - barred gate that stood in [[her]152-miss graham pathway]531-her pathway]530-the boy who opened the five - barred gate that stood in her pathway , ran [home]479-home to [[his]530-the boy who opened the five - barred gate that stood in her pathway mother]533-his mother to tell of [her]152-miss graham pretty looks , and the sweet voice in which [she]152-miss graham thanked [him]530-the boy who opened the five - barred gate that stood in her pathway for the little service . [The verger at [the church]535-the church , who ushered [her]152-miss graham into [[the surgeon]508-the surgeon 's pew]537-the surgeon 's pew]534-the verger at the church , who ushered her into the surgeon 's pew ; [[the vicar]525-the vicar , who saw the soft blue eyes uplifted to [his]525-the vicar face as [he]525-the vicar preached [his]525-the vicar simple sermon]539-the vicar , who saw the soft blue eyes uplifted to his face as he preached his simple sermon ; [the porter from [the railway station]541-the railway station , who brought [her]152-miss graham sometimes a letter or a parcel , and who never looked for reward from [her]152-miss graham]540-the porter from the railway station , who brought her sometimes a letter or a parcel , and who never looked for reward from her ; [[her]152-miss graham employer]542-her employer ; [[his]530-the boy who opened the five - barred gate that stood in her pathway visitors]543-his visitors ; [[her]152-miss graham pupils]544-her pupils ; [the servants]545-the servants ; [everybody , high and low]546-everybody , high and low , united in declaring that [Lucy Graham]152-miss graham was [the sweetest girl that ever lived]547-the sweetest girl that ever lived . Perhaps it was the rumor of this which penetrated into [the quiet chamber of [Audley Court]1-audley court]548-the quiet chamber of audley court ; or , perhaps , it was the sight of [her]152-miss graham pretty face , looking over [[the surgeon]508-the surgeon 's high pew]550-the surgeon 's high pew every Sunday morning ; however it was , it was certain that [Sir Michael Audley]146-sir michael suddenly experienced a strong desire to be better acquainted with [[Mr. Dawson]151-mr. dawson 's governess]551-mr. dawson 's governess . [He]146-sir michael had only to hint [his]146-sir michael wish to [the worthy doctor]552-the worthy doctor for a little party to be got up , to which [the vicar]525-the vicar and [[his]525-the vicar wife]554-his wife , and [the baronet]465-the baronet and [[his]525-the vicar daughter]556-his daughter , were invited . That one quiet evening sealed [Sir Michael]146-sir michael 's fate . [He]146-sir michael could no more resist the tender fascination of those soft and melting blue eyes ; the graceful beauty of that slender throat and drooping head , with its wealth of showering flaxen curls ; the low music of that gentle voice ; the perfect harmony which pervaded every charm , and made all doubly charming in [this woman]557-this woman ; than [he]146-sir michael could resist [his]146-sir michael destiny ! Destiny ! Why , [she]557-this woman was [his]146-sir michael destiny ! [He]146-sir michael had never loved before . What had been [his]146-sir michael marriage with [[Alicia]149-alicia 's mother]558-alicia 's mother but a dull , jog - trot bargain made to keep some estate in [the family]559-the family that would have been just as well out of it ? What had been [his]146-sir michael love for [[his]146-sir michael first wife]560-his first wife but a poor , pitiful , smoldering spark , too dull to be extinguished , too feeble to burn ? But this was love — this fever , this longing , this restless , uncertain , miserable hesitation ; these cruel fears that [his]146-sir michael age was an insurmountable barrier to [his]146-sir michael happiness ; this sick hatred of [his]146-sir michael white beard ; this frenzied wish to be young again , with glistening raven hair , and a slim waist , such as [he]146-sir michael had twenty years before ; these , wakeful nights and melancholy days , so gloriously brightened if [he]146-sir michael chanced to catch a glimpse of [her]557-this woman sweet face behind the window curtains , as [he]146-sir michael drove past [[the surgeon]508-the surgeon 's house]562-the surgeon 's house ; all these signs gave token of the truth , and told only too plainly that , at the sober age of fifty - five , [Sir Michael Audley]146-sir michael had fallen ill of the terrible fever called love . [I]0-i do not think that , throughout [his]146-sir michael courtship , [the baronet]465-the baronet once calculated upon [his]146-sir michael wealth or [his]146-sir michael position as reasons for [his]146-sir michael success . If [he]146-sir michael ever remembered these things , [he]146-sir michael dismissed the thought of them with a shudder . It pained [him]146-sir michael too much to believe for a moment that [any one so lovely and innocent]564-any one so lovely and innocent could value [herself]564-any one so lovely and innocent against [a splendid house]565-a splendid house or a good old title . No ; [his]146-sir michael hope was that , as [her]557-this woman life had been most likely one of toil and dependence , and as [she]557-this woman was very young [nobody]566-nobody exactly knew [her]557-this woman age , but [she]557-this woman looked little more than twenty , [she]557-this woman might never have formed any attachment , and that [he]146-sir michael , being the first to woo [her]557-this woman , might , by tender attentions , by generous watchfulness , by a love which should recall to [her]557-this woman [the father [she]557-this woman had lost]567-the father she had lost , and by a protecting care that should make [him]146-sir michael necessary to [her]557-this woman , win [her]557-this woman young heart , and obtain from [her]557-this woman fresh and earliest love , the promise of [her]557-this woman hand . It was a very romantic day - dream , no doubt ; but , for all that , it seemed in a very fair way to be realized . [Lucy Graham]152-miss graham appeared by no means to dislike [the baronet]465-the baronet 's attentions . There was nothing whatever in [her]152-miss graham manner that betrayed the shallow artifices employed by [a woman who wishes to captivate [a rich man]570-a rich man]569-a woman who wishes to captivate a rich man . [She]152-miss graham was so accustomed to admiration from every one , high and low , that [Sir Michael]146-sir michael 's conduct made very little impression upon [her]152-miss graham . Again , [he]465-the baronet had been so many years [a widower]475-a widower that [people]572-people had given up the idea of [his]465-the baronet ever marrying again . At last , however , [Mrs. Dawson]154-mrs. dawson spoke to [the governess on the subject]573-the governess on the subject . [[The surgeon]508-the surgeon 's wife]575-the surgeon 's wife was sitting in [the school - room]576-the school - room busy at work , while [Lucy]152-miss graham was putting the finishing touches on some water - color sketches done by [[her]152-miss graham pupils]544-her pupils . " Do [you]152-miss graham know , [[my]154-mrs. dawson dear]4626-my dear [Miss Graham]152-miss graham , "[154-mrs. dawson] said [Mrs. Dawson]154-mrs. dawson , " [I]154-mrs. dawson think [you]152-miss graham ought to consider [yourself]152-miss graham [a remarkably lucky girl]4627-a remarkably lucky girl ? "[154-mrs. dawson] [The governess]578-the governess lifted [her]578-the governess head from its stooping attitude , and stared wonderingly at [[her]578-the governess employer]542-her employer , shaking back a shower of curls . They were the most wonderful curls in [the world]519-the world — soft and feathery , always floating away from [her]578-the governess face , and making a pale halo round [her]578-the governess head when the sunlight shone through them . " What do [you]542-her employer mean , [[my]578-the governess dear]4626-my dear [Mrs. Dawson]154-mrs. dawson ? "[578-the governess] [she]578-the governess asked , dipping [her]578-the governess camel's - hair brush into the wet aquamarine upon the palette , and poising it carefully before putting in the delicate streak of purple which was to brighten the horizon in [[her]578-the governess pupil]581-her pupil 's sketch . " Why , [I]152-miss graham mean , [[my]152-miss graham dear]4626-my dear , that it only rests with [yourself]4626-my dear to become [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , and [the mistress of [Audley Court]1-audley court]4630-the mistress of audley court . "[152-miss graham] [Lucy Graham]152-miss graham dropped the brush upon the picture , and flushed scarlet to the roots of [her]152-miss graham fair hair ; and then grew pale again , far paler than [Mrs. Dawson]154-mrs. dawson had ever seen [her]152-miss graham before . " [[My]508-the surgeon dear]4626-my dear , do n't agitate [yourself]4626-my dear , "[508-the surgeon] said [[the surgeon]508-the surgeon 's wife]575-the surgeon 's wife , soothingly ; " [you]4626-my dear know that [nobody]566-nobody asks [you]4626-my dear to marry [Sir Michael]146-sir michael unless [you]4626-my dear wish . Of course it would be a magnificent match ; [he]146-sir michael has a splendid income , and is [one of the most generous of [men]4634-men]4633-one of the most generous of men . [Your]4626-my dear position would be very high , and [you]4626-my dear would be enabled to do a great deal of good ; but , as [I]508-the surgeon said before , [you]4626-my dear must be entirely guided by [your]4626-my dear own feelings . Only one thing [I]508-the surgeon must say , and that is that if [Sir Michael]146-sir michael 's attentions are not agreeable to [you]4626-my dear , it is really scarcely honorable to encourage [him]146-sir michael . "[508-the surgeon] " [His]146-sir michael attentions — encourage [him]146-sir michael ! "[152-miss graham] muttered [Lucy]152-miss graham , as if the words bewildered [her]152-miss graham . " Pray , pray do n't talk to [me]152-miss graham , [Mrs. Dawson]154-mrs. dawson . [I]152-miss graham had no idea of this . It is the last thing that would have occurred to [me]152-miss graham . "[152-miss graham] [She]152-miss graham leaned [her]152-miss graham elbows on the drawing - board before [her]152-miss graham , and clasping [her]152-miss graham hands over [her]152-miss graham face , seemed for some minutes to be thinking deeply . [She]152-miss graham wore a narrow black ribbon round [her]152-miss graham neck , with a locket , or a cross , or a miniature , perhaps , attached to it ; but whatever the trinket was , [she]152-miss graham always kept it hidden under [her]152-miss graham dress . Once or twice , while [she]152-miss graham sat silently thinking , [she]152-miss graham removed one of [her]152-miss graham hands from before [her]152-miss graham face , and fidgeted nervously with the ribbon , clutching at it with a half - angry gesture , and twisting it backward and forward between [her]152-miss graham fingers . " [I]152-miss graham think [some people]4635-some people are born to be unlucky , [Mrs. Dawson]154-mrs. dawson , "[152-miss graham] [she]152-miss graham said , by - and - by ; " it would be a great deal too much good fortune for [me]152-miss graham to become [Lady Audley]150-lady audley . "[152-miss graham] [She]152-miss graham said this with so much bitterness in [her]152-miss graham tone , that [[the surgeon]508-the surgeon 's wife]575-the surgeon 's wife looked up at [her]152-miss graham with surprise . " [You]152-miss graham unlucky , [[my]575-the surgeon 's wife dear]4626-my dear ! "[575-the surgeon 's wife] [she]575-the surgeon 's wife exclaimed . " [I]575-the surgeon 's wife think [you]152-miss graham are [the last person who ought to talk like that]4637-the last person who ought to talk like that — [you]152-miss graham , such [a bright , happy creature]4638-a bright , happy creature , that it does every one good to see [you]152-miss graham . [I]575-the surgeon 's wife 'm sure [I]575-the surgeon 's wife do n't know what [we]586-we shall do if [Sir Michael]146-sir michael robs [us]586-we of [you]152-miss graham . "[575-the surgeon 's wife] After this conversation [they]586-we often spoke upon the subject , and [Lucy]152-miss graham never again showed any emotion whatever when [the baronet]465-the baronet 's admiration for [her]152-miss graham was canvassed . It was a tacitly understood thing in [[the surgeon]508-the surgeon 's family]589-the surgeon 's family that whenever [Sir Michael]146-sir michael proposed , [the governess]578-the governess would quietly accept [him]146-sir michael ; and , indeed , [the simple Dawsons]156-the simple dawsons would have thought it something more than madness in [a penniless girl]591-a penniless girl to reject such an offer . So , one misty August evening , [Sir Michael]146-sir michael , sitting opposite to [Lucy Graham]152-miss graham , at a window in [[the surgeon]508-the surgeon 's little drawing - room]593-the surgeon 's little drawing - room , took an opportunity while [the family]559-the family happened by some accident to be absent from [the room]595-the room , of speaking upon the subject nearest to [his]146-sir michael heart . [He]146-sir michael made [the governess]578-the governess , in a few but solemn words , an offer of [his]146-sir michael hand . There was something almost touching in the manner and tone in which [he]146-sir michael spoke to [her]578-the governess — half in deprecation , knowing that [he]146-sir michael could hardly expect to be the choice of [a beautiful young girl]597-a beautiful young girl , and praying rather that [she]578-the governess would reject [him]146-sir michael , even though [she]578-the governess broke [his]146-sir michael heart by doing so , than that [she]578-the governess should accept [his]146-sir michael offer if [she]578-the governess did not love [him]146-sir michael . " [I]146-sir michael scarcely think there is a greater sin , [Lucy]152-miss graham , "[146-sir michael] [he]146-sir michael said , solemnly , " than that of [a woman who marries [a man [she]578-the governess does not love]4640-a man she does not love . [You]152-miss graham are so precious to [me]146-sir michael , [[my]146-sir michael beloved]4641-my beloved]4639-a woman who marries a man she does not love . you are so precious to me , my beloved , that deeply as [my]146-sir michael heart is set on this , and bitter as the mere thought of disappointment is to [me]146-sir michael , [I]146-sir michael would not have [you]152-miss graham commit such a sin for any happiness of [mine]146-sir michael . If [my]146-sir michael happiness could be achieved by such an act , which it could not — which it never could , "[146-sir michael] [he]146-sir michael repeated , earnestly—"nothing but misery can result from a marriage dictated by any motive but truth and love . "[146-sir michael] [Lucy Graham]152-miss graham was not looking at [Sir Michael]146-sir michael , but straight out into the misty twilight and dim landscape far away beyond [the little garden]598-the little garden . [The baronet]465-the baronet tried to see [her]152-miss graham face , but [her]152-miss graham profile was turned to [him]465-the baronet , and [he]465-the baronet could not discover the expression of [her]152-miss graham eyes . If [he]465-the baronet could have done so , [he]465-the baronet would have seen a yearning gaze which seemed as if it would have pierced the far obscurity and looked away — away into another world . " [Lucy]152-miss graham , [you]152-miss graham heard [me]152-miss graham ? "[152-miss graham] " Yes , "[152-miss graham] [she]152-miss graham said , gravely ; not coldly , or in any way as if [she]152-miss graham were offended at [his]465-the baronet words . " And [your]465-the baronet answer ? "[152-miss graham] [She]152-miss graham did not remove [her]152-miss graham gaze from [the darkening country side]600-the darkening country side , but for some moments was quite silent ; then turning to [him]465-the baronet , with a sudden passion in [her]152-miss graham manner , that lighted up [her]152-miss graham face with a new and wonderful beauty which [the baronet]465-the baronet perceived even in the growing twilight , [she]152-miss graham fell on [her]152-miss graham knees at [his]465-the baronet feet . " No , [Lucy]152-miss graham ; no , no ! "[465-the baronet] [he]465-the baronet cried , vehemently , " not here , not here ! "[465-the baronet] " Yes , here , here , "[152-miss graham] [she]152-miss graham said , the strange passion which agitated [her]152-miss graham making [her]152-miss graham voice sound shrill and piercing — not loud , but preternaturally distinct ; " here and nowhere else . How good [you]152-miss graham are — how noble and how generous ! Love [you]152-miss graham ! Why , there are [women]4642-women a hundred times [my]152-miss graham superiors in beauty and in goodness who might love [you]152-miss graham dearly ; but [you]152-miss graham ask too much of [me]152-miss graham ! Remember what [my]152-miss graham life has been ; only remember that ! From [my]152-miss graham very babyhood [I]152-miss graham have never seen anything but poverty . [[My]152-miss graham father]4643-my father was [a gentleman]4644-a gentleman : clever , accomplished , handsome — but poor — and what [a pitiful wretch poverty made of [him]4643-my father]4645-a pitiful wretch poverty made of him ! [[My]152-miss graham mother]4646-my mother — But do not let [me]152-miss graham speak of [her]4646-my mother . Poverty — poverty , trials , vexations , humiliations , deprivations . [You]152-miss graham can not tell ; [you]152-miss graham , who are among those for whom life is so smooth and easy , [you]152-miss graham can never guess what is endured by such as [we]4647-we . Do not ask too much of [me]152-miss graham , then . [I]152-miss graham can not be disinterested ; [I]152-miss graham can not be blind to the advantages of such an alliance . [I]152-miss graham can not , [I]152-miss graham can not ! "[152-miss graham] Beyond [her]602-her agitation and [her]602-her passionate vehemence , there is an undefined something in [her]602-her manner which fills [the baronet]465-the baronet with a vague alarm . [She]602-her is still on the ground at [his]465-the baronet feet , crouching rather than kneeling , [her]602-her thin white dress clinging about [her]602-her , [her]602-her pale hair streaming over [her]602-her shoulders , [her]602-her great blue eyes glittering in the dusk , and [her]602-her hands clutching at the black ribbon about [her]602-her throat , as if it had been strangling [her]602-her . " Do n't ask too much of [me]602-her , "[602-her] [she]602-her kept repeating ; " [I]602-her have been selfish from [my]602-her babyhood . "[602-her] " [Lucy]152-miss graham — [Lucy]152-miss graham , speak plainly . Do [you]465-the baronet dislike [me]602-her ? "[602-her] " Dislike [you]465-the baronet ? No — no ! "[602-her] " But is there any one else whom [you]465-the baronet love ? "[602-her] [She]602-her laughed aloud at [his]465-the baronet question . " [I]602-her do not love any one in [the world]519-the world , "[602-her] [she]602-her answered . [He]465-the baronet was glad of [her]602-her reply ; and yet that and the strange laugh jarred upon [his]465-the baronet feelings . [He]465-the baronet was silent for some moments , and then said , with a kind of effort : " Well , [Lucy]152-miss graham , [I]465-the baronet will not ask too much of [you]152-miss graham . [I]465-the baronet dare say [I]465-the baronet am [a romantic old fool]4649-a romantic old fool ; but if [you]152-miss graham do not dislike [me]465-the baronet , and if [you]152-miss graham do not love [any one else]4650-any one else , [I]465-the baronet see no reason why [we]4651-we should not make [a very happy couple]4652-a very happy couple . Is it a bargain , [Lucy]152-miss graham ? "[465-the baronet] " Yes . "[465-the baronet] [The baronet]465-the baronet lifted [her]602-her in [his]465-the baronet arms and kissed [her]602-her once upon the forehead , then quietly bidding [her]602-her good - night , [he]465-the baronet walked straight out of [the house]388-the house . [He]465-the baronet walked straight out of [the house]388-the house , [this foolish old man]607-this foolish old man , because there was some strong emotion at work in [his]465-the baronet breast — neither joy nor triumph , but something almost akin to disappointment — some stifled and unsatisfied longing which lay heavy and dull at [his]465-the baronet heart , as if [he]465-the baronet had carried a corpse in [his]465-the baronet bosom . [He]465-the baronet carried the corpse of that hope which had died at the sound of [Lucy]152-miss graham 's words . All the doubts and fears and timid aspirations were ended now . [He]465-the baronet must be contented , like [other men of [his]465-the baronet age]608-other men of his age , to be married for [his]465-the baronet fortune and [his]465-the baronet position . [Lucy Graham]152-miss graham went slowly up the stairs to [[her]152-miss graham little room]609-her little room at [the top of [the house]388-the house]610-the top of the house . [She]152-miss graham placed [her]152-miss graham dim candle on the chest of drawers , and seated [herself]152-miss graham on the edge of the white bed , still and white as the draperies hanging around [her]152-miss graham . " No more dependence , no more drudgery , no more humiliations , "[152-miss graham] [she]152-miss graham said ; " every trace of the old life melted away — every clew to identity buried and forgotten — except these , except these . "[152-miss graham] [She]152-miss graham had never taken [her]152-miss graham left hand from the black ribbon at [her]152-miss graham throat . [She]152-miss graham drew it from [her]152-miss graham bosom , as [she]152-miss graham spoke , and looked at the object attached to it . It was neither a locket , a miniature , nor a cross ; it was a ring wrapped in an oblong piece of paper — the paper partly written , partly printed , yellow with age , and crumpled with much folding . [He]465-the baronet threw the end of [his]465-the baronet cigar into the water , and leaning [his]465-the baronet elbows upon the bulwarks , stared meditatively at [the waves]612-the waves . " How wearisome they are , "[465-the baronet] [he]465-the baronet said ; " blue and green , and opal ; opal , and blue , and green ; all very well in [their]612-the waves way , of course , but three months of them are rather too much , especially — "[465-the baronet] [He]465-the baronet did not attempt to finish [his]465-the baronet sentence ; [his]465-the baronet thoughts seemed to wander in the very midst of it , and carry [him]465-the baronet a thousand miles or so away . " [Poor little girl]4653-poor little girl , how pleased [she]4653-poor little girl 'll be ! "[465-the baronet] [he]465-the baronet muttered , opening [his]465-the baronet cigar - case , lazily surveying its contents ; " how pleased and how surprised ? [Poor little girl]4653-poor little girl . After three years and a half , too ; [she]4653-poor little girl will be surprised . "[465-the baronet] [He]465-the baronet was [a young man of about five - and - twenty , with dark face bronzed by exposure to the sun]613-a young man of about five - and - twenty , with dark face bronzed by exposure to the sun ; [he]465-the baronet had handsome brown eyes , with a lazy smile in them that sparkled through the black lashes , and a bushy beard and mustache that covered the whole lower part of [his]465-the baronet face . [He]465-the baronet was tall and powerfully built ; [he]465-the baronet wore a loose gray suit and a felt hat , thrown carelessly upon [his]465-the baronet black hair . [His]465-the baronet name was [George Talboys]157-george , and [he]465-the baronet was [aft - cabin passenger on board [the good ship Argus]615-the good ship argus , laden with Australian wool and sailing from [Sydney]5-sydney to [Liverpool]6-liverpool]614-aft - cabin passenger on board the good ship argus , laden with australian wool and sailing from sydney to liverpool . There were [very few passengers]616-very few passengers in [the aft - cabin of [the Argus]618-the argus]617-the aft - cabin of the argus . [An elderly wool - stapler returning to [[his]465-the baronet native country]620-his native country with [[his]465-the baronet wife]554-his wife and [daughters]622-daughters , after having made a fortune in [the colonies]623-the colonies]619-an elderly wool - stapler returning to his native country with his wife and daughters , after having made a fortune in the colonies ; [a governess of three - and - thirty years of age]624-a governess of three - and - thirty years of age , going [home]479-home to marry [a man to whom [she]624-a governess of three - and - thirty years of age had been engaged fifteen years]626-a man to whom she had been engaged fifteen years ; [the sentimental daughter of [a wealthy Australian wine - merchant]628-a wealthy australian wine - merchant , invoiced to [England]7-england to finish [her]624-a governess of three - and - thirty years of age education]627-the sentimental daughter of a wealthy australian wine - merchant , invoiced to england to finish her education , and [George Talboys]157-george , were [the only first - class passengers on board]629-the only first - class passengers on board . [This George Talboys]157-george was the life and soul of [the vessel]630-the vessel ; [nobody]566-nobody knew who or what [he]157-george was , or where [he]157-george came from , but [everybody]632-everybody liked [him]157-george . [He]157-george sat at the bottom of the dinner - table , and assisted [the captain]633-the captain in doing the honors of the friendly meal . [He]157-george opened the champagne bottles , and took wine with every one present ; [he]157-george told funny stories , and led the life [himself]157-george with such a joyous peal that [the man]634-the man must have been [a churl who could not have laughed for pure sympathy]635-a churl who could not have laughed for pure sympathy . [He]157-george was [a capital hand at speculation and vingt - et - un]636-a capital hand at speculation and vingt - et - un , and all the merry games , which kept the little circle round the cabin - lamp so deep in innocent amusement , that a hurricane might have howled overhead without [their]637-their hearing it ; but [he]157-george freely owned that [he]157-george had no talent for whist , and that [he]157-george did n't know [a knight from a castle upon the chess - board]638-a knight from a castle upon the chess - board . Indeed , [Mr. Talboys]157-george was by no means too learned [a gentleman]4644-a gentleman . [The pale governess]640-the pale governess had tried to talk to [him]157-george about fashionable literature , but [George]157-george had only pulled [his]157-george beard and stared very hard at [her]640-the pale governess , saying occasionally , " Ah , yes , by [Jove]158-jove ! "[157-george] and " To be sure , ah ! "[157-george] [The sentimental young lady]641-the sentimental young lady , going [home]479-home to finish [her]641-the sentimental young lady education , had tried [him]157-george with [Shelby]159-shelby and [Byron]160-byron , and [he]157-george had fairly laughed in [her]641-the sentimental young lady face , as if poetry were a joke . [The woolstapler]643-the woolstapler sounded [him]157-george on politics , but [he]157-george did not seem very deeply versed in [them]644-them ; so [they]644-them let [him]157-george go [his]157-george own way , smoke [his]157-george cigars and talk to [the sailors]645-the sailors , lounge over [the bulwarks]646-the bulwarks and stare at [the water]403-the water , and make [himself]157-george agreeable to [everybody]632-everybody in [his]157-george own fashion . But when [the Argus]618-the argus came to be within about a fortnight 's sail of [England]7-england [everybody]632-everybody noticed a change in [George Talboys]157-george . [He]157-george grew restless and fidgety ; sometimes so merry that [the cabin]651-the cabin rung with [his]157-george laughter ; sometimes moody and thoughtful . [Favorite]161-favorite as [he]157-george was among [the sailors]645-the sailors , [they]645-the sailors were tired at last of answering [his]157-george perpetual questions about the probable time of touching [land]653-land . Would it be in ten days , in eleven , in twelve , in thirteen ? Was the wind favorable ? How many knots an hour was [the vessel]630-the vessel doing ? Then a sudden passion would seize [him]157-george , and [he]157-george would stamp upon the deck , crying out that [she]630-the vessel was [a rickety old craft]655-a rickety old craft , and that [[her]630-the vessel owners]656-her owners were [swindlers]657-swindlers to advertise [her]630-the vessel as [the fast - sailing Argus]658-the fast - sailing argus . [She]630-the vessel was not fit for [passenger traffic]659-passenger traffic ; [she]630-the vessel was not fit to carry [impatient living creatures]660-impatient living creatures , with hearts and souls ; [she]630-the vessel was fit for nothing but to be laden with bales of stupid wool , that might rot on [the sea]661-the sea and be none the worse for it . The sun was drooping down behind the waves as [George Talboys]157-george lighted [his]157-george cigar upon this August evening . Only ten days more , [the sailors]645-the sailors had told [him]157-george that afternoon , and [they]645-the sailors would see [the English coast]663-the english coast . " [I]157-george will go ashore in [the first boat that hails [us]645-the sailors]4655-the first boat that hails us , "[157-george] [he]157-george cried ; " [I]157-george will go ashore in a cockle - shell . By Jove , if it comes to that , [I]157-george will swim to [land]653-land . "[157-george] [[His]157-george friends in [the aft - cabin]665-the aft - cabin]664-his friends in the aft - cabin , with the exception of [the pale governess]640-the pale governess , laughed at [his]157-george impatience ; [she]640-the pale governess sighed as [she]640-the pale governess watched [the young man]667-the young man , chafing at the slow hours , pushing away [his]667-the young man untasted wine , flinging [himself]667-the young man restlessly about upon [the cabin sofa]668-the cabin sofa , rushing up and down the companion ladder , and staring at the waves . As the red rim of the sun dropped into the water , [the governess]578-the governess ascended [the cabin stairs]670-the cabin stairs for a stroll on [deck]671-deck , while [the passengers]672-the passengers sat over [their]672-the passengers wine below . [She]640-the pale governess stopped when [she]640-the pale governess came up to [George]157-george , and , standing by [his]157-george side , watched the fading crimson in the western sky . [The lady]673-the lady was very quiet and reserved , seldom sharing in the after - cabin amusements , never laughing , and speaking very little ; but [she]673-the lady and [George Talboys]157-george had been [excellent friends]674-excellent friends throughout [the passage]675-the passage . " Does [my]157-george cigar annoy [you]162-miss morley , [Miss Morley]162-miss morley ? "[157-george] [he]157-george said , taking it out of [his]157-george mouth . " Not at all ; pray do not leave off smoking . [I]157-george only came up to look at the sunset . What a lovely evening ! "[157-george] " Yes , yes , [I]157-george dare say , "[157-george] [he]157-george answered , impatiently ; " yet so long , so long ! Ten more interminable days and ten more weary nights before [we]4657-we land . "[157-george] " Yes , "[162-miss morley] said [Miss Morley]162-miss morley , sighing . " Do [you]157-george wish the time shorter ? "[162-miss morley] " Do [I]157-george ? "[157-george] cried [George]157-george . " Indeed [I]157-george do . Do n't [you]157-george ? "[157-george] " Scarcely . "[157-george] " But is there [no one [you]157-george love in [England]7-england]4658-no one you love in england ? Is there [no one [you]157-george love looking out for [your]157-george arrival]4659-no one you love looking out for your arrival ? "[162-miss morley] " [I]162-miss morley hope so , "[162-miss morley] [she]162-miss morley said gravely . [They]676-we were silent for some time , [he]157-george smoking [his]157-george cigar with a furious impatience , as if [he]157-george could hasten the course of [the vessel]630-the vessel by [his]157-george own restlessness ; [she]162-miss morley looking out at the waning light with melancholy blue eyes — eyes that seemed to have faded with poring over closely - printed books and difficult needlework ; eyes that had faded a little , perhaps , by reason of tears secretly shed in the lonely night . " See ! "[157-george] said [George]157-george , suddenly , pointing in another direction from that toward which [Miss Morley]162-miss morley was looking , " there 's the new moon ! "[162-miss morley] [She]162-miss morley looked up at [the pale crescent]678-the pale crescent , [her]162-miss morley own face almost as pale and wan . " This is the first time [we]676-we have seen it . "[162-miss morley] " [We]676-we must wish ! "[157-george] said [George]157-george . " [I]162-miss morley know what [I]162-miss morley wish . "[162-miss morley] " What ? "[162-miss morley] " That [we]676-we may get [home]479-home quickly . "[162-miss morley] " [My]578-the governess wish is that [we]676-we may find no disappointment when [we]676-we get [there]374-there , "[578-the governess] said [the governess]578-the governess , sadly . " Disappointment ! "[578-the governess] [He]157-george started as if [he]157-george had been struck , and asked what [she]162-miss morley meant by talking of disappointment . " [I]162-miss morley mean this , "[162-miss morley] [she]162-miss morley said , speaking rapidly , and with a restless motion of [her]162-miss morley thin hands ; " [I]680-i mean that as the end of the voyage draws near , hope sinks in [my]680-i heart ; and a sick fear comes over [me]680-i that at the last all may not be well . [The person [I]680-i go to meet]4662-the person i go to meet may be changed in [his]4662-the person i go to meet feelings toward [me]680-i ; or [he]4662-the person i go to meet may retain all the old feeling until the moment of seeing [me]680-i , and then lose it in a breath at sight of [my]680-i poor wan face , for [I]680-i was called [a pretty girl]4663-a pretty girl , [Mr. Talboys]157-george , when [I]680-i sailed for [Sydney]5-sydney , fifteen years ago ; or [he]4662-the person i go to meet may be so changed by [the world]519-the world as to have grown selfish and mercenary , and [he]4662-the person i go to meet may welcome [me]680-i for the sake of [my]680-i fifteen years ' savings . Again , [he]4662-the person i go to meet may be dead . [He]4662-the person i go to meet may have been well , perhaps , up to within a week of [our]4665-our landing , and in that last week may have taken a fever , and died an hour before [[our]4665-our vessel]4666-our vessel anchors in [the Mersey]8-the mersey . [I]680-i think of all these things , [Mr. Talboys]157-george , and act the scenes over in [my]680-i mind , and feel the anguish of them twenty times a day . Twenty times a day , "[680-i] [she]680-i repeated ; " why [I]680-i do it a thousand times a day . "[680-i] [George Talboys]157-george had stood motionless , with [his]157-george cigar in [his]157-george hand , listening to [her]680-i so intently that , as [she]680-i said the last words , [his]157-george hold relaxed , and the cigar dropped in the water . " [I]680-i wonder , "[680-i] [she]680-i continued , more to [herself]680-i than to [him]157-george , " [I]680-i wonder , looking back , to think how hopeful [I]680-i was when [the vessel]630-the vessel sailed ; [I]680-i never thought then of disappointment , but [I]680-i pictured the joy of meeting , imagining the very words that would be said , the very tones , the very looks ; but for this last month of the voyage , day by day , and hour by hour [my]680-i heart sinks and [my]680-i hopeful fancies fade away , and [I]680-i dread the end as much as if [I]680-i knew that [I]680-i was going to [England]7-england to attend a funeral . "[680-i] [The young man]667-the young man suddenly changed [his]667-the young man attitude , and turned [his]667-the young man face full upon [[his]667-the young man companion]466-his companion , with a look of alarm . [She]680-i saw in the pale light that the color had faded from [his]667-the young man cheek . " What [a fool]4668-a fool ! "[667-the young man] [he]667-the young man cried , striking [his]667-the young man clenched fist upon the side of [the vessel]630-the vessel , " what [a fool]4668-a fool [I]667-the young man am to be frightened at this ? Why do [you]466-his companion come and say these things to [me]667-the young man ? Why do [you]466-his companion come and terrify [me]667-the young man out of [my]667-the young man senses , when [I]667-the young man am going straight [home]479-home to [the woman [I]667-the young man love]4671-the woman i love ; to [a girl whose heart is as true as the light of Heaven]4672-a girl whose heart is as true as the light of heaven ; and in whom [I]667-the young man no more expect to find any change than [I]667-the young man do to see another sun rise in to - morrow 's sky ? Why do [you]466-his companion come and try to put such fancies in [my]667-the young man head when [I]667-the young man am going [home]479-home to [[my]667-the young man darling wife]4674-my darling wife ? "[667-the young man] " [[Your]466-his companion wife]4675-your wife , "[684-i] [she]684-i said ; " that is different . There is no reason that [my]684-i terrors should terrify [you]466-his companion . [I]684-i am going to [England]7-england to rejoin [a man to whom [I]684-i was engaged to be married fifteen years ago]4676-a man to whom i was engaged to be married fifteen years ago . [He]4676-a man to whom i was engaged to be married fifteen years ago was too poor to marry then , and when [I]684-i was offered a situation as [governess in [a rich Australian family]4678-a rich australian family]4677-governess in a rich australian family , [I]684-i persuaded [him]4676-a man to whom i was engaged to be married fifteen years ago to let [me]684-i accept it , so that [I]684-i might leave [him]4676-a man to whom i was engaged to be married fifteen years ago free and unfettered to win [his]4676-a man to whom i was engaged to be married fifteen years ago way in [the world]519-the world , while [I]684-i saved a little money to help [us]4680-us when [we]4680-us began life together . [I]684-i never meant to stay away so long , but things have gone badly with [him]4676-a man to whom i was engaged to be married fifteen years ago in [England]7-england . That is [my]684-i story , and [you]4681-you can understand [my]684-i fears . [They]4682-they need not influence [you]4681-you . [Mine]684-i is an exceptional case . "[684-i] " So is [mine]157-george , "[157-george] said [George]157-george , impatiently . " [I]157-george tell [you]4681-you that [mine]157-george is an exceptional case : although [I]157-george swear to [you]4681-you that until this moment , [I]157-george have never known a fear as to the result of [my]157-george voyage [home]479-home . But [you]4681-you are right ; [your]4681-you terrors have nothing to do with [me]157-george . [You]4681-you have been away fifteen years ; all kinds of things may happen in fifteen years . Now it is only three years and a half this very month since [I]157-george left [England]7-england . What can have happened in such a short time as that ? "[157-george] [Miss Morley]162-miss morley looked at [him]157-george with a mournful smile , but did not speak . [His]157-george feverish ardor , the freshness and impatience of [his]157-george nature were so strange and new to [her]162-miss morley , that [she]162-miss morley looked at [him]157-george half in admiration , half in pity . " [[My]157-george pretty little wife]4684-my pretty little wife ! [[My]157-george gentle , innocent , loving little wife]4685-my gentle , innocent , loving little wife ! Do [you]162-miss morley know , [Miss Morley]162-miss morley , "[157-george] [he]157-george said , with all [his]157-george old hopefulness of manner , " that [I]157-george left [[my]157-george little girl]4686-my little girl asleep , with [[her]4686-my little girl baby]4687-her baby in [her]4686-my little girl arms , and with nothing but a few blotted lines to tell [her]4686-my little girl why [[her]4686-my little girl faithful husband]4688-her faithful husband had deserted [her]4686-my little girl ? "[157-george] " Deserted [her]4686-my little girl ! "[578-the governess] exclaimed [the governess]578-the governess . " Yes . [I]578-the governess was [an ensign in [a cavalry regiment]4690-a cavalry regiment when [I]578-the governess first met [[my]578-the governess little darling]4691-my little darling]4689-an ensign in a cavalry regiment when i first met my little darling . [We]4692-us were quartered at [a stupid [seaport town]4694-seaport town , where [[my]578-the governess pet]4695-my pet]4693-a stupid seaport town , where my pet lived with [[her]4691-my little darling shabby old father]4696-her shabby old father , [a half - pay naval officer]4697-a half - pay naval officer ; [a regular old humbug]4698-a regular old humbug , as poor as [Job]163-job , and with an eye for nothing but the main chance . [I]578-the governess saw through all [his]578-the governess shallow tricks to catch one of [us]4692-us for [[his]578-the governess pretty daughter]4699-his pretty daughter . [I]578-the governess saw all the pitiable , contemptible , palpable traps [he]578-the governess set for [us]4692-us big dragoons to walk into . [I]578-the governess saw through [his]578-the governess shabby - genteel dinners and [public - house port]4700-public - house port ; [his]578-the governess fine talk of the grandeur of [[his]578-the governess family]4701-his family ; [his]578-the governess sham pride and independence , and the sham tears of [his]578-the governess bleared old eyes when [he]578-the governess talked of [[his]578-the governess only child]4702-his only child . [He]578-the governess was [a drunken old hypocrite]4703-a drunken old hypocrite , and [he]578-the governess was ready to sell [[my]578-the governess poor , little girl]4704-my poor , little girl to [the highest bidder]4705-the highest bidder . Luckily for [me]578-the governess , [I]578-the governess happened just then to be [the highest bidder]4705-the highest bidder ; for [[my]578-the governess father]4643-my father , is [a rich man]570-a rich man , [Miss Morley]162-miss morley , and as it was love at first sight on both sides , [[my]578-the governess darling]4709-my darling and [I]578-the governess made a match of it . No sooner , however , did [[my]578-the governess father]4643-my father hear that [I]578-the governess had married [a penniless little girl]4711-a penniless little girl , [the daughter of [a tipsy old half - pay lieutenant]4713-a tipsy old half - pay lieutenant]4712-the daughter of a tipsy old half - pay lieutenant , than [he]4643-my father wrote [me]578-the governess a furious letter , telling [me]578-the governess [he]4643-my father would never again hold any communication with [me]578-the governess , and that [my]578-the governess yearly allowance would stop from [my]578-the governess wedding - day . "[578-the governess] As there was no remaining in such a regiment as [mine]686-mine , with nothing but [my]0-i pay to live on , and [[my]0-i pretty little wife]4684-my pretty little wife to keep , [I]0-i sold out , thinking that before the money was exhausted , [I]0-i should be sure to drop into something . [I]0-i took [[my]0-i darling]4709-my darling to [Italy]9-italy , and [we]689-we lived [there]374-there in splendid style as long as [my]0-i two thousand pounds lasted ; but when that began to dwindle down to a couple of hundred or so , [we]689-we came back to [England]7-england , and as [[my]0-i darling]4709-my darling had a fancy for being near [that tiresome old father of [hers]4709-my darling]692-that tiresome old father of hers , [we]689-we settled at [the watering - place where [he]692-that tiresome old father of hers lived]693-the watering - place where he lived . Well , as soon as [the old man]694-the old man heard that [I]0-i had a couple of hundred pounds left , [he]694-the old man expressed a wonderful degree of affection for [us]689-we , and insisted on [our]689-we boarding in [[his]694-the old man house]447-his house . [We]689-we consented , still to please [[my]0-i darling]4709-my darling , who had just then a peculiar right to have every whim and fancy of [her]4709-my darling innocent heart indulged . [We]689-we did board with [him]692-that tiresome old father of hers , and finally [he]692-that tiresome old father of hers fleeced [us]689-we ; but when [I]0-i spoke of it to [[my]0-i little wife]697-my little wife , [she]697-my little wife only shrugged [her]697-my little wife shoulders , and said [she]697-my little wife did not like to be unkind to [[her]697-my little wife ' poor papa]698-her ' poor papa . ' [So poor papa]699-so poor papa made away with [our]689-we little stock of money in no time ; and as [I]0-i felt that it was now becoming necessary to look about for something , [I]0-i ran up to [London]3-london , and tried to get a situation as [a clerk in [[a merchant]701-a merchant 's office]702-a merchant 's office , or as [accountant]703-accountant , or [book - keeper]704-book - keeper , or something of that kind]700-a clerk in a merchant 's office , or as accountant , or book - keeper , or something of that kind . But [I]0-i suppose there was the stamp of [a heavy dragoon]705-a heavy dragoon about [me]0-i , for do what [I]0-i would [I]0-i could n't get [anybody]706-anybody to believe in [my]0-i capacity ; and tired out , and down - hearted , [I]0-i returned to [[my]0-i darling]4709-my darling , to find [her]4709-my darling nursing [a son]708-a son and heir to [[his]708-a son father]709-his father 's poverty . [Poor little girl]4653-poor little girl , [she]4653-poor little girl was very low - spirited ; and when [I]0-i told [her]4653-poor little girl that [my]0-i [London]3-london expedition had failed , [she]4653-poor little girl fairly broke down , and burst in to a storm of sobs and lamentations , telling [me]0-i that [I]0-i ought not to have married [her]4653-poor little girl if [I]0-i could give [her]4653-poor little girl nothing but poverty and misery ; and that [I]0-i had done [her]4653-poor little girl a cruel wrong in making [her]4653-poor little girl [[my]0-i wife]711-my wife . By heaven ! [Miss Morley]162-miss morley , [her]4653-poor little girl tears and reproaches drove [me]0-i almost mad ; and [I]0-i flew into a rage with [her]4653-poor little girl , [myself]0-i , [[her]4653-poor little girl father]481-her father , [the world]519-the world , and [everybody]632-everybody in [it]519-the world , and then ran out of [the house]388-the house . [I]0-i walked about [the streets]716-the streets all that day , half out of [my]0-i mind , and with a strong inclination to throw [myself]0-i into [the sea]661-the sea , so as to leave [[my]0-i poor girl]718-my poor girl free to make a better match . ' If [I]0-i drown [myself]0-i , [[her]4653-poor little girl father]481-her father must support [her]4653-poor little girl , ' [I]0-i thought ; ' [the old hypocrite]720-the old hypocrite could never refuse [her]4653-poor little girl a shelter ; but while [I]0-i live [she]4653-poor little girl has no claim on [him]720-the old hypocrite . ' [I]0-i went down to [a rickety old wooden pier]721-a rickety old wooden pier , meaning to wait there till it was dark , and then drop quietly over the end of [it]721-a rickety old wooden pier into [the water]403-the water ; but while [I]0-i sat there smoking [my]0-i pipe , and staring vacantly at the sea - gulls , [two men]723-two men came down , and one of [them]723-two men began to talk of [the Australian gold - diggings]724-the australian gold - diggings , and the great things that were to be done [there]374-there . It appeared that [he]720-the old hypocrite was going to sail in a day or two , and [he]720-the old hypocrite was trying to persuade [[his]720-the old hypocrite companion]466-his companion to join [him]720-the old hypocrite in the expedition . " [I]720-the old hypocrite listened to [these men]4714-these men for upward of an hour , following [them]4714-these men up and down [the pier]4715-the pier , with [my]720-the old hypocrite pipe in [my]720-the old hypocrite mouth , and hearing all [their]4714-these men talk . After this [I]720-the old hypocrite fell into conversation with [them]4714-these men [myself]720-the old hypocrite , and ascertained that there was [a vessel]4716-a vessel going to leave [Liverpool]6-liverpool in three days , by which vessel [one of [the men]4718-the men]4717-one of the men was going out . [This man]4719-this man gave [me]720-the old hypocrite all the information [I]720-the old hypocrite required , and told [me]720-the old hypocrite , moreover , that [a stalwart young fellow]4720-a stalwart young fellow , such as [I]720-the old hypocrite was , could hardly fail to do well in the diggings . The thought flashed upon [me]720-the old hypocrite so suddenly , that [I]720-the old hypocrite grew hot and red in the face , and trembled in every limb with excitement . This was better than the water , at any rate . Suppose [I]720-the old hypocrite stole away from [[my]720-the old hypocrite darling]4709-my darling , leaving [her]4709-my darling safe under [[her]4709-my darling father]481-her father 's roof , and went and made a fortune in [the new world]4723-the new world , and came back in a twelvemonth to throw it into [her]4709-my darling lap ; for [I]720-the old hypocrite was so sanguine in those days that [I]720-the old hypocrite counted on making [my]720-the old hypocrite fortune in a year or so . [I]720-the old hypocrite thanked [the man]634-the man for [his]634-the man information , and late at night strolled homeward . It was bitter winter weather , but [I]720-the old hypocrite had been too full of passion to feel cold , and [I]720-the old hypocrite walked through [the quiet streets]4725-the quiet streets , with the snow drifting in [my]720-the old hypocrite face , and a desperate hopefulness in [my]720-the old hypocrite heart . [The old man]694-the old man was sitting drinking brandy - and - water in [the little dining - room]4727-the little dining - room ; and [[my]720-the old hypocrite wife]711-my wife was up - stairs , sleeping peacefully , with [the baby]4729-the baby on [her]711-my wife breast . [I]720-the old hypocrite sat down and wrote a few brief lines , which told [her]711-my wife that [I]720-the old hypocrite never had loved [her]711-my wife better than now , when [I]720-the old hypocrite seemed to desert [her]711-my wife ; that [I]720-the old hypocrite was going to try [my]720-the old hypocrite fortune in [the new world]4723-the new world , and that if [I]720-the old hypocrite succeeded [I]720-the old hypocrite should come back to bring [her]711-my wife plenty and happiness ; but that if [I]720-the old hypocrite failed [I]720-the old hypocrite should never look upon [her]711-my wife face again . [I]720-the old hypocrite divided the remainder of [our]4731-our money — something over forty pounds — into two equal portions , leaving one for [her]711-my wife , and putting the other in [my]720-the old hypocrite pocket . [I]720-the old hypocrite knelt down and prayed for [[my]720-the old hypocrite wife]711-my wife and [child]4733-child , with [my]720-the old hypocrite head upon the white counterpane that covered them . [I]720-the old hypocrite was n't much of [a praying man]4734-a praying man at ordinary times , but [God]164-god knows that was a heartfelt prayer . [I]720-the old hypocrite kissed [her]711-my wife once , and [the baby]4729-the baby once , and then crept out of [the room]595-the room . [The dining - room]4737-the dining - room door was open , and [the old man]694-the old man was nodding over [his]694-the old man paper . [He]694-the old man looked up as [he]694-the old man heard [my]720-the old hypocrite step in [the passage]675-the passage , and asked [me]720-the old hypocrite where [I]720-the old hypocrite was going . ' To have a smoke in [the street]4740-the street , ' [I]720-the old hypocrite answered ; and as this was a common habit of [mine]720-the old hypocrite [he]694-the old man believed [me]720-the old hypocrite . Three nights after [I]720-the old hypocrite was out at [sea]4741-sea , bound for [Melbourne]10-melbourne — [a steerage passenger]4742-a steerage passenger , with [a digger]4743-a digger 's tools for [my]720-the old hypocrite baggage , and about seven shillings in [my]720-the old hypocrite pocket . "[720-the old hypocrite] " And [you]720-the old hypocrite succeeded ? "[162-miss morley] asked [Miss Morley]162-miss morley . " Not till [I]162-miss morley had long despaired of success ; not until poverty and [I]162-miss morley had become [such old companions]4744-such old companions and [bed - fellows]4745-bed - fellows , that looking back at [my]162-miss morley past life , [I]162-miss morley wondered whether [that dashing , reckless , extravagant , luxurious , champagne - drinking dragoon]4746-that dashing , reckless , extravagant , luxurious , champagne - drinking dragoon could have really been [the same man who sat on the damp ground gnawing a moldy crust in [the wilds of [the new world]4723-the new world]4748-the wilds of the new world]4747-the same man who sat on the damp ground gnawing a moldy crust in the wilds of the new world . [I]162-miss morley clung to the memory of [[my]162-miss morley darling]4709-my darling , and the trust that [I]162-miss morley had in [her]4709-my darling love and truth was the one keystone that kept the fabric of [my]162-miss morley past life together — the one star that lit the thick black darkness of the future . [I]162-miss morley was [hail - fellow - well - met with [bad men]4752-bad men]4751-hail - fellow - well - met with bad men ; [I]162-miss morley was in the center of riot , drunkenness , and debauchery ; but the purifying influence of [my]162-miss morley love kept [me]162-miss morley safe from all . Thin and gaunt , the half - starved shadow of what [I]162-miss morley once had been , [I]162-miss morley saw [myself]162-miss morley one day in a broken bit of looking - glass , and was frightened by [my]162-miss morley own face . But [I]162-miss morley toiled on through all ; through disappointment and despair , rheumatism , fever , starvation ; at the very gates of death , [I]162-miss morley toiled on steadily to the end ; and in the end [I]162-miss morley conquered . "[162-miss morley] [He]727-my was so brave in [his]727-my energy and determination , in [his]727-my proud triumph of success , and in the knowledge of the difficulties [he]727-my had vanquished , that [the pale governess]640-the pale governess could only look at [him]727-my in wondering admiration . " How brave [you]727-my were ! "[640-the pale governess] [she]640-the pale governess said . " [Brave]4753-brave ! "[727-my] [he]727-my cried , with a joyous peal of laughter ; " was n't [I]727-my working for [[my]727-my darling]4709-my darling ? Through all the dreary time of that probation , [her]4709-my darling pretty white hand seemed beckoning [me]727-my onward to a happy future ! Why , [I]727-my have seen [her]4709-my darling under [[my]727-my wretched canvas tent]4755-my wretched canvas tent sitting by [my]727-my side , with [[her]4709-my darling boy]4756-her boy in [her]4709-my darling arms , as plainly as [I]727-my had ever seen [her]4709-my darling in the one happy year of [our]4757-our wedded life . At last , one dreary foggy morning , just three months ago , with a drizzling rain wetting [me]727-my to the skin , up to [my]727-my neck in clay and mire , half - starved , enfeebled by fever , stiff with rheumatism , a monster nugget turned up under [my]727-my spade , and [I]727-my was in one minute [the richest man in [Australia]11-australia]4758-the richest man in australia . [I]727-my fell down on the wet clay , with [my]727-my lump of gold in the bosom of [my]727-my shirt , and , for the first time in [my]727-my life , cried like [a child]4759-a child . [I]727-my traveled post - haste to [Sydney]5-sydney , realized [my]727-my price , which was worth upward of £ 20,000 , and a fortnight afterward took [my]727-my passage for [England]7-england in [this vessel]4760-this vessel ; and in ten days — in ten days [I]727-my shall see [[my]727-my darling]4709-my darling . "[727-my] " But in all that time did [you]727-my never write to [[your]727-my wife]4675-your wife ? "[727-my] " Never , till the night before [I]729-i left [Sydney]5-sydney . [I]729-i could not write when everything looked so black . [I]729-i could not write and tell [her]4675-your wife that [I]729-i was fighting hard with despair and death . [I]729-i waited for better fortune , and when that came [I]729-i wrote telling [her]4675-your wife that [I]729-i should be in [England]7-england almost as soon as [my]729-i letter , and giving [her]4675-your wife an address at [a coffee - house in [London]3-london]4763-a coffee - house in london where [she]4675-your wife could write to [me]729-i , telling [me]729-i where to find [her]4675-your wife , though [she]4675-your wife is hardly likely to have left [[[her]4675-your wife father]481-her father 's house]482-her father 's house . "[729-i] [He]729-i fell into a reverie after this , and puffed meditatively at [his]729-i cigar . [[His]729-i companion]466-his companion did not disturb [him]729-i . The last ray of summer daylight had died out , and the pale light of the crescent moon only remained . [Presently George Talboys]165-presently george talboys flung away [his]729-i cigar , and turning to [the governess]578-the governess , cried abruptly , " [Miss Morley]162-miss morley , if , when [I]578-the governess get to [England]7-england , [I]578-the governess hear that anything has happened to [[my]578-the governess wife]711-my wife , [I]578-the governess shall fall down dead . "[578-the governess] " [[My]578-the governess dear]4626-my dear [Mr. Talboys]157-george , why do [you]157-george think of these things ? [God]164-god is very good to [us]4768-us ; [He]164-god will not afflict [us]4768-us beyond [our]4768-us power of endurance . [I]578-the governess see all things , perhaps , in a melancholy light ; for the long monotony of [my]578-the governess life has given [me]578-the governess too much time to think over [my]578-the governess troubles . "[578-the governess] " And [my]578-the governess life has been all action , privation , toil , alternate hope and despair ; [I]578-the governess have had no time to think upon the chances of anything happening to [[my]578-the governess darling]4709-my darling . What [a blind , reckless fool]4770-a blind , reckless fool [I]578-the governess have been ! Three years and a half and not one line — one word from [her]4709-my darling , or from any mortal creature who knows [her]4709-my darling . [Heaven above]4771-heaven above ! what may not have happened ? "[578-the governess] In the agitation of [his]732-i mind [he]732-i began to walk rapidly up and down [the lonely deck]733-the lonely deck , [the governess]578-the governess following , and trying to soothe [him]732-i . " [I]732-i swear to [you]578-the governess , [Miss Morley]162-miss morley , "[732-i] [he]732-i said , " that till [you]578-the governess spoke to [me]732-i to - night , [I]732-i never felt one shadow of fear , and now [I]732-i have that sick , sinking dread at [my]732-i heart which [you]578-the governess talked of an hour ago . Let [me]732-i alone , please , to get over it [my]732-i own way . "[732-i] [She]578-the governess drew silently away from [him]732-i , and seated [herself]578-the governess by the side of [the vessel]630-the vessel , looking over into [the water]403-the water . [George Talboys]157-george walked backward and forward for some time , with [his]157-george head bent upon [his]157-george breast , looking neither to the right nor the left , but in about a quarter of an hour [he]157-george returned to the spot where [the governess]578-the governess was seated . " [I]157-george have been praying , "[157-george] [he]157-george said—"praying for [[my]157-george darling]4709-my darling . "[157-george] [He]157-george spoke in a voice little above a whisper , and [she]578-the governess saw [his]157-george face ineffably calm in the moonlight . The same August sun which had gone down behind [the waste of waters]738-the waste of waters glimmered redly upon the broad face of the old clock over that ivy - covered archway which leads into [the gardens of [Audley Court]1-audley court]377-the gardens of audley court . A fierce and crimson sunset . The mullioned windows and twinkling lattices are all ablaze with the red glory ; the fading light flickers upon the leaves of the limes in [the long avenue]740-the long avenue , and changes [the still fish - pond]741-the still fish - pond into a sheet of burnished copper ; even into those dim recesses of brier and brushwood , amidst which [the old well]742-the old well is hidden , the crimson brightness penetrates in fitful flashes till the dank weeds and the rusty iron wheel and broken woodwork seem as if they were flecked with blood . The lowing of a cow in [the quiet meadows]743-the quiet meadows , the splash of a trout in [the fish - pond]381-the fish - pond , the last notes of a tired bird , the creaking of wagon - wheels upon [the distant road]745-the distant road , every now and then breaking the evening silence , only made the stillness of [the place]385-the place seem more intense . It was almost oppressive , this twilight stillness . The very repose of [the place]385-the place grew painful from its intensity , and [you]748-you felt as if a corpse must be lying somewhere within that gray and ivy - covered pile of building — so deathlike was the tranquillity of all around . As the clock over the archway struck eight , a door at the back of [the house]388-the house was softly opened , and [a girl]750-a girl came out into [the gardens]414-the gardens . But even the presence of [a human being]752-a human being scarcely broke the silence ; for [the girl]753-the girl crept slowly over the thick grass , and gliding into [the avenue]754-the avenue by the side of [the fish - pond]381-the fish - pond , disappeared in the rich shelter of the limes . [She]753-the girl was not , perhaps , positively [a pretty girl]4663-a pretty girl ; but [her]753-the girl appearance was of that order which is commonly called interesting . Interesting , it may be , because in the pale face and the light gray eyes , the small features and compressed lips , there was something which hinted at a power of repression and self - control not common in [a woman of nineteen or twenty]757-a woman of nineteen or twenty . [She]753-the girl might have been pretty , [I]0-i think , but for the one fault in [her]753-the girl small oval face . This fault was an absence of color . Not one tinge of crimson flushed the waxen whiteness of [her]753-the girl cheeks ; not one shadow of brown redeemed the pale insipidity of [her]753-the girl eyebrows and eyelashes ; not one glimmer of gold or auburn relieved the dull flaxen of [her]753-the girl hair . Even [her]753-the girl dress was spoiled by this same deficiency . The pale lavender muslin faded into a sickly gray , and the ribbon knotted round [her]753-the girl throat melted into the same neutral hue . [Her]753-the girl figure was slim and fragile , and in spite of [her]753-the girl humble dress , [she]753-the girl had something of the grace and carriage of [a gentlewoman]758-a gentlewoman , but [she]753-the girl was only [a simple country girl , called [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe , who had been nursemaid in [[Mr. Dawson]151-mr. dawson 's family]760-mr. dawson 's family , and whom [Lady Audley]150-lady audley had chosen for [[her]150-lady audley maid]761-her maid after [her]150-lady audley marriage with [Sir Michael]146-sir michael]759-a simple country girl , called phoebe marks , who had been nursemaid in mr. dawson 's family , and whom lady audley had chosen for her maid after her marriage with sir michael . Of course , this was a wonderful piece of good fortune for [Phoebe]166-phoebe , who found [her]166-phoebe wages trebled and [her]166-phoebe work lightened in [the well - ordered household at [the Court]373-the court]762-the well - ordered household at the court ; and who was therefore quite as much the object of envy among [[her]753-the girl particular friends]764-her particular friends as [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady [herself]468-my lady to higher circles . [A man , who was sitting on the broken wood - work of the well]766-a man , who was sitting on the broken wood - work of the well , started as [the lady's - maid]767-the lady's - maid came out of the dim shade of the limes and stood before [him]766-a man , who was sitting on the broken wood - work of the well among the weeds and brushwood . [I]0-i have said before that this was [a neglected spot]768-a neglected spot ; [it]768-a neglected spot lay in the midst of a low shrubbery , hidden away from the rest of [the gardens]414-the gardens , and only visible from the garret windows at the back of [the west wing]770-the west wing . " Why , [Phoebe]166-phoebe , "[634-the man] said [the man]634-the man , shutting a clasp - knife with which [he]634-the man had been stripping the bark from a blackthorn stake , " [you]166-phoebe came upon [me]634-the man so still and sudden , that [I]634-the man thought [you]166-phoebe was an evil spirit . [I]634-the man 've come across through [the fields]4773-the fields , and come in here at the gate agen the moat , and [I]634-the man was taking a rest before [I]634-the man came up to [the house]388-the house to ask if [you]166-phoebe was come back . "[634-the man] " [I]166-phoebe can see the well from [[my]166-phoebe bedroom]4775-my bedroom window , [Luke]167-luke , "[166-phoebe] [Phoebe]166-phoebe answered , pointing to an open lattice in one of [the gables]772-the gables . " [I]634-the man saw [you]167-luke sitting [here]4776-here , and came down to have a chat ; it 's better talking out here than in [the house]388-the house , where there 's always [somebody listening]4778-somebody listening . "[634-the man] [The man]634-the man was [a big , broad - shouldered , stupid - looking clod - hopper of about twenty - three years of age]774-a big , broad - shouldered , stupid - looking clod - hopper of about twenty - three years of age . [His]634-the man dark red hair grew low upon [his]634-the man forehead , and [his]634-the man bushy brows met over a pair of greenish gray eyes ; [his]634-the man nose was large and well - shaped , but the mouth was coarse in form and animal in expression . Rosy - cheeked , red - haired , and bull - necked , [he]634-the man was not unlike one of [the stout oxen grazing in [the meadows]776-the meadows round about [the Court]373-the court]775-the stout oxen grazing in the meadows round about the court . [The girl]753-the girl seated [herself]753-the girl lightly upon the wood - work at [his]634-the man side , and put one of [her]753-the girl hands , which had grown white in [her]753-the girl new and easy service , about [his]634-the man thick neck . " Are [you]634-the man glad to see [me]753-the girl , [Luke]167-luke ? "[753-the girl] [she]753-the girl asked . " Of course [I]634-the man 'm glad , [lass]4779-lass , "[634-the man] [he]634-the man answered , boorishly , opening [his]634-the man knife again , and scraping away at the hedge - stake . [They]779-they were [first cousins]780-first cousins , and had been [play fellows]781-play fellows in childhood , and [sweethearts in early youth]782-sweethearts in early youth . " [You]634-the man do n't seem much as if [you]634-the man were glad , "[753-the girl] said [the girl]753-the girl ; " [you]634-the man might look at [me]753-the girl , [Luke]167-luke , and tell [me]753-the girl if [you]634-the man think [my]753-the girl journey has improved [me]753-the girl . "[753-the girl] " It ai n't put any color into [your]753-the girl cheeks , [[my]634-the man girl]4780-my girl , "[634-the man] [he]634-the man said , glancing up at [her]753-the girl from under [his]634-the man lowering eyebrows ; " [you]753-the girl 're every bit as white as [you]753-the girl was when [you]753-the girl went away . "[634-the man] " But [they]4781-they say traveling makes [people]572-people genteel , [Luke]167-luke . [I]753-the girl 've been on [the Continent]4783-the continent with [[my]753-the girl lady]468-my lady , through all manner of curious places ; and [you]634-the man know , when [I]753-the girl was [a child]4759-a child , [[Squire Horton]168-squire horton 's daughters]4786-squire horton 's daughters taught [me]753-the girl to speak a little French , and [I]753-the girl found it so nice to be able to talk to [the people abroad]4787-the people abroad . "[753-the girl] " [Genteel]169-genteel ! "[167-luke] cried [Luke Marks]167-luke , with a hoarse laugh ; " who wants [you]753-the girl to be genteel , [I]167-luke wonder ? Not [me]167-luke , for one ; when [you]753-the girl 're [[my]167-luke wife]711-my wife [you]753-the girl wo n't have overmuch time for gentility , [[my]167-luke girl]4780-my girl . French , too ! Dang [me]167-luke , [Phoebe]166-phoebe , [I]167-luke suppose when [we]4790-we 've saved money enough between [us]4790-we to buy a bit of [a farm]4791-a farm , [you]753-the girl 'll be parleyvooing to the cows ? "[167-luke] [She]784-her bit [her]784-her lip as [[her]784-her lover]785-her lover spoke , and looked away . [He]785-her lover went on cutting and chopping at a rude handle [he]785-her lover was fashioning to the stake , whistling softly to [himself]785-her lover all the while , and not once looking at [[his]785-her lover cousin]786-his cousin . For some time [they]787-they were silent , but by - and - by [she]784-her said , with [her]784-her face still turned away from [[her]784-her companion]788-her companion : " What a fine thing it is for [Miss Graham]152-miss graham that was , to travel with [[her]152-miss graham maid]761-her maid and [[her]152-miss graham courier]4793-her courier , and [her]152-miss graham chariot and four , and [a husband that thinks there is n't one spot upon [all the earth]4795-all the earth that 's good enough for [her]152-miss graham to set [her]152-miss graham foot upon]4794-a husband that thinks there is n't one spot upon all the earth that 's good enough for her to set her foot upon ! "[784-her] " Ay , it is a fine thing , [Phoebe]166-phoebe , to have lots of money , "[167-luke] answered [Luke]167-luke , " and [I]167-luke hope [you]166-phoebe 'll be warned by that , [[my]167-luke lass]4796-my lass , to save up [your]166-phoebe wages agin [we]4797-we get married . "[167-luke] " Why , what was [she]152-miss graham in [[Mr. Dawson]151-mr. dawson 's house]4798-mr. dawson 's house only three months ago ? "[753-the girl] continued [the girl]753-the girl , as if [she]753-the girl had not heard [[her]753-the girl cousin]790-her cousin 's speech . " What was [she]152-miss graham but [a servant like [me]753-the girl]4799-a servant like me ? Taking wages and working for [them]4800-them as hard , or harder , than [I]753-the girl did . [You]167-luke should have seen [her]152-miss graham shabby clothes , [Luke]167-luke — worn and patched , and darned and turned and twisted , yet always looking nice upon [her]152-miss graham , somehow . [She]152-miss graham gives [me]753-the girl more as [lady's - maid]4801-lady's - maid [here]4776-here than ever [she]152-miss graham got from [Mr. Dawson]151-mr. dawson then . Why , [I]753-the girl 've seen [her]152-miss graham come out of [the parlor]4803-the parlor with a few sovereigns and a little silver in [her]152-miss graham hand , [that master]4804-that master had just given [her]152-miss graham for [her]152-miss graham quarter 's salary ; and now look at [her]152-miss graham ! "[753-the girl] " Never [you]152-miss graham mind [her]152-miss graham , "[167-luke] said [Luke]167-luke ; " take care of [yourself]152-miss graham , [Phoebe]166-phoebe ; that 's all [you]152-miss graham 've got to do . What should [you]152-miss graham say to [a public - house for [you]152-miss graham and [me]167-luke]4805-a public - house for you and me , by - and - by , [[my]167-luke girl]4780-my girl ? There 's a deal of money to be made out of [a public - house]4807-a public - house . "[167-luke] [The girl]753-the girl still sat with [her]753-the girl face averted from [[her]753-the girl lover]785-her lover , [her]753-the girl hands hanging listlessly in [her]753-the girl lap , and [her]753-the girl pale gray eyes fixed upon the last low streak of crimson dying out behind the trunks of the trees . " [You]167-luke should see the inside of [the house]388-the house , [Luke]167-luke , "[753-the girl] [she]753-the girl said ; " [it]388-the house 's [a tumbledown looking place enough outside]4809-a tumbledown looking place enough outside ; but [you]167-luke should see [[[my]753-the girl lady]468-my lady 's rooms]4811-my lady 's rooms — all pictures and gilding , and great looking - glasses that stretch from the ceiling to the floor . Painted ceilings , too , that cost hundreds of pounds , [the housekeeper]486-the housekeeper told [her]486-the housekeeper , and all done for [her]486-the housekeeper . "[753-the girl] " [She]486-the housekeeper 's [a lucky one]4813-a lucky one , "[167-luke] muttered [Luke]167-luke , with lazy indifference . " [You]167-luke should have seen [her]486-the housekeeper while [we]4814-we were abroad , with [a crowd of [gentlemen]4816-gentlemen]4815-a crowd of gentlemen hanging about [her]486-the housekeeper ; [Sir Michael]146-sir michael not jealous of [them]4815-a crowd of gentlemen , only proud to see [her]486-the housekeeper so much admired . [You]167-luke should have heard [her]486-the housekeeper laugh and talk with [them]4815-a crowd of gentlemen ; throwing all [their]4815-a crowd of gentlemen compliments and fine speeches back at [them]4815-a crowd of gentlemen , as it were , as if [they]4815-a crowd of gentlemen had been pelting [her]486-the housekeeper with roses . [She]486-the housekeeper set [everybody]632-everybody mad about [her]486-the housekeeper , wherever [she]486-the housekeeper went . [Her]486-the housekeeper singing , [her]486-the housekeeper playing , [her]486-the housekeeper painting , [her]486-the housekeeper dancing , [her]486-the housekeeper beautiful smile , and sunshiny ringlets ! [She]486-the housekeeper was always the talk of [a place]4818-a place , as long as [we]4819-we stayed in [it]4818-a place . "[167-luke] " Is [she]486-the housekeeper at [home]479-home to - night ? "[753-the girl] " No ; [she]486-the housekeeper has gone out with [Sir Michael]146-sir michael to a dinner party at [the Beeches]12-the beeches . [They]4821-they 've seven or eight miles to drive , and [they]4821-they wo n't be back till after eleven . "[753-the girl] " Then [I]167-luke 'll tell [you]4822-you what , [Phoebe]166-phoebe , if the inside of [the house]388-the house is so mighty fine , [I]167-luke should like to have a look at [it]388-the house . "[167-luke] " [You]4822-you shall , then . [Mrs. Barton]170-mrs. barton , [the housekeeper]486-the housekeeper , knows [you]4822-you by sight , and [she]486-the housekeeper ca n't object to [my]753-the girl showing [you]4822-you [some of [the best rooms]4826-the best rooms]4825-some of the best rooms . "[753-the girl] It was almost dark when [the cousins]793-the cousins left [the shrubbery]483-the shrubbery and walked slowly to [the house]388-the house . The door by which [they]793-the cousins entered led into [[the servants]545-the servants ' hall]797-the servants ' hall , on one side of which was [[the housekeeper]486-the housekeeper 's room]799-the housekeeper 's room . [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe stopped for a moment to ask [the housekeeper]486-the housekeeper if [she]486-the housekeeper might take [[her]486-the housekeeper cousin]790-her cousin through [some of [the rooms]803-the rooms]802-some of the rooms , and having received permission to do so , lighted a candle at the lamp in [the hall]804-the hall , and beckoned to [Luke]167-luke to follow [her]166-phoebe into [the other part of [the house]388-the house]805-the other part of the house . [The long , black oak corridors]807-the long , black oak corridors were dim in the ghostly twilight — the light carried by [Phoebe]166-phoebe looking only a poor speck in the broad passages through which [the girl]753-the girl led [[her]753-the girl cousin]790-her cousin . [Luke]167-luke looked suspiciously over [his]167-luke shoulder now and then , half - frightened by the creaking of [his]167-luke own hob - nailed boots . " It 's [a mortal dull place]4827-a mortal dull place , [Phoebe]166-phoebe , "[167-luke] [he]167-luke said , as [they]810-they emerged from [a passage]811-a passage into [the principal hall , which was not yet lighted]812-the principal hall , which was not yet lighted ; " [I]167-luke 've heard tell of a murder that was done [here]4776-here in old times . "[167-luke] " There are murders enough in these times , as to that , [Luke]167-luke , "[753-the girl] answered [the girl]753-the girl , ascending the staircase , followed by [the young man]667-the young man . [She]753-the girl led the way through [a great drawing - room]815-a great drawing - room , rich in satin and ormolu , buhl and inlaid cabinets , bronzes , cameos , statuettes , and trinkets , that glistened in the dusky light ; then through [a morning room]816-a morning room , hung with proof engravings of valuable pictures ; through this into [an ante - chamber , where [she]753-the girl stopped , holding the light above [her]753-the girl head]817-an ante - chamber , where she stopped , holding the light above her head . [The young man]667-the young man stared about [him]667-the young man , open - mouthed and open - eyed . " [It]4776-here 's [a rare fine place]4829-a rare fine place , "[667-the young man] [he]667-the young man said , " and must have cost a heap of money . "[667-the young man] " Look at the pictures on the walls , "[166-phoebe] said [Phoebe]166-phoebe , glancing at the panels of [the octagonal chamber]819-the octagonal chamber , which were hung with Claudes and Poussins , [Wouvermans]171-wouvermans and [Cuyps]172-cuyps . " [I]753-the girl 've heard that those alone are worth a fortune . This is the entrance to [[[my]753-the girl lady]468-my lady 's apartments]4831-my lady 's apartments , [Miss Graham]152-miss graham that was . "[753-the girl] [She]753-the girl lifted a heavy green cloth curtain which hung across a doorway , and led [the astonished countryman]820-the astonished countryman into a fairy - like boudoir , and thence to [a dressing - room]821-a dressing - room , in which the open doors of a wardrobe and a heap of dresses flung about a sofa showed that [it]822-it still remained exactly as [[its]822-it occupants]823-its occupants had left [it]822-it . " [I]790-her cousin 've got all these things to put away before [[my]790-her cousin lady]468-my lady comes [home]479-home , [Luke]167-luke ; [you]167-luke might sit down here while [I]790-her cousin do it , [I]790-her cousin sha n't be long . "[790-her cousin] [[Her]753-the girl cousin]790-her cousin looked around in gawky embarrassment , bewildered by the splendor of [the room]595-the room ; and after some deliberation selected the most substantial of the chairs , on the extreme edge of which [he]790-her cousin carefully seated [himself]790-her cousin . " [I]753-the girl wish [I]753-the girl could show [you]167-luke the jewels , [Luke]167-luke , "[753-the girl] said [the girl]753-the girl ; " but [I]753-the girl ca n't , for [she]753-the girl always keeps the keys [herself]753-the girl ; that 's the case on the dressing - table there . "[753-the girl] " What , that ? "[167-luke] cried [Luke]167-luke , staring at the massive walnut - wood and brass inlaid casket . " Why , that 's big enough to hold every bit of clothes [I]167-luke 've got ! "[167-luke] " And it 's as full as it can be of diamonds , rubies , pearls and emeralds , "[166-phoebe] answered [Phoebe]166-phoebe , busy as [she]166-phoebe spoke in folding the rustling silk dresses , and laying them one by one upon the shelves of [the wardrobe]827-the wardrobe . As [she]166-phoebe was shaking out the flounces of the last , a jingling sound caught [her]166-phoebe ear , and [she]166-phoebe put [her]166-phoebe hand into the pocket . " [I]166-phoebe declare ! "[166-phoebe] [she]166-phoebe exclaimed , " [[my]166-phoebe lady]468-my lady has left [her]468-my lady keys in [her]468-my lady pocket for once in a way ; [I]166-phoebe can show [you]828-he the jewelry , if [you]828-he like , [Luke]167-luke . "[166-phoebe] " Well , [I]828-he may as well have a look at it , [[my]828-he girl]4780-my girl , "[828-he] [he]828-he said , rising from [his]828-he chair and holding the light while [[his]828-he cousin]786-his cousin unlocked the casket . [He]828-he uttered a cry of wonder when [he]828-he saw the ornaments glittering on white satin cushions . [He]828-he wanted to handle the delicate jewels ; to pull them about , and find out their mercantile value . Perhaps a pang of longing and envy shot through [his]828-he heart as [he]828-he thought how [he]828-he would have liked to have taken one of them . " Why , one of those diamond things would set [us]4836-us up in life , [Phoebe]166-phoebe , [he]828-he said , turning a bracelet over and over in [his]828-he big red hands . "[167-luke] Put it down , [Luke]167-luke ! Put it down directly ! " cried [the girl]753-the girl , with a look of terror ; "[167-luke] how can [you]828-he speak about such things ? " [He]828-he laid the bracelet in its place with a reluctant sigh , and then continued [his]828-he examination of the casket . "[828-he] What 's this ? " [he]828-he asked presently , pointing to a brass knob in the frame - work of the box . [He]828-he pushed it as [he]828-he spoke , and a secret drawer , lined with purple velvet , flew out of the casket . "[828-he] Look [ye]786-his cousin here ! " cried [Luke]167-luke , pleased at [his]167-luke discovery . [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe threw down the dress [she]166-phoebe had been folding , and went over to the toilette table . "[828-he] Why , [I]0-i never saw this before , " [she]166-phoebe said ; "[0-i] [I]0-i wonder what there is in it ? " There was not much in it ; neither gold nor gems ; only [a baby]4838-a baby 's little worsted shoe rolled up in a piece of paper , and a tiny lock of pale and silky yellow hair , evidently taken from [a baby]4838-a baby 's head . [Phoebe]166-phoebe 's eyes dilated as [she]166-phoebe examined the little packet . "[0-i] So this is what [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady hides in the secret drawer , " [she]166-phoebe muttered . "[468-my lady] It 's queer rubbish to keep in such a place , " said [Luke]167-luke , carelessly . [The girl]753-the girl 's thin lip curved into a curious smile . "[831-you] [You]831-you will bear [me]0-i witness where [I]0-i found this , " [she]166-phoebe said , putting the little parcel into [her]166-phoebe pocket . "[831-you] Why , [Phoebe]166-phoebe , [you]166-phoebe 're not going to be such [a fool as to take that]832-a fool as to take that , " cried [the young man]667-the young man . "[166-phoebe] [I]0-i 'd rather have this than the diamond bracelet [you]831-you would have liked to take , " [she]166-phoebe answered ; "[831-you] [you]831-you shall have [the public house]833-the public house , [Luke]167-luke . " [Robert Audley]173-robert was supposed to be [a barrister]4842-a barrister . As [a barrister]4842-a barrister was [his]173-robert name inscribed in the law - list ; as [a barrister]4842-a barrister [he]173-robert had chambers in [Figtree Court , Temple]13-figtree court , temple ; as [a barrister]4842-a barrister [he]173-robert had eaten the allotted number of dinners , which form the sublime ordeal through which [the forensic aspirant]4846-the forensic aspirant wades on to fame and fortune . If these things can make [a man]445-a man [a barrister]4842-a barrister , [Robert Audley]173-robert decidedly was one . But [he]173-robert had never either had a brief , or tried to get a brief , or even wished to have a brief in all those five years , during which [his]173-robert name had been painted upon one of the doors in [Figtree Court]14-figtree court . [He]173-robert was [a handsome , lazy , care - for - nothing fellow , of about seven - and - twenty]4849-a handsome , lazy , care - for - nothing fellow , of about seven - and - twenty ; [the only son of [a younger brother of [Sir Michael Audley]146-sir michael]4851-a younger brother of sir michael audley]4850-the only son of a younger brother of sir michael audley . [[His]173-robert father]709-his father had left [him]173-robert £ 400 a year , which [[his]173-robert friends]4853-his friends had advised [him]173-robert to increase by being called to the bar ; and as [he]173-robert found it , after due consideration , more trouble to oppose the wishes of [these friends]4854-these friends than to eat so many dinners , and to take [a set of chambers in [the Temple]4856-the temple]4855-a set of chambers in the temple , [he]173-robert adopted the latter course , and unblushingly called [himself]173-robert [a barrister]4842-a barrister . Sometimes , when the weather was very hot , and [he]173-robert had exhausted [himself]173-robert with the exertion of smoking [his]173-robert German pipe , and reading French novels , [he]173-robert would stroll into [the Temple Gardens]15-the temple gardens , and lying in some shady spot , pale and cool , with [his]173-robert shirt collar turned down and a blue silk handkerchief tied loosely about [his]173-robert neck , would tell [grave benchers]4858-grave benchers that [he]173-robert had knocked [himself]173-robert up with over work . [The sly old benchers]4859-the sly old benchers laughed at the pleasant fiction ; but [they]4859-the sly old benchers all agreed that [Robert Audley]173-robert was [a good fellow]4860-a good fellow ; [a generous - hearted fellow]4861-a generous - hearted fellow ; rather [a curious fellow]4862-a curious fellow , too , with a fund of sly wit and quiet humor , under [his]173-robert listless , dawdling , indifferent , irresolute manner . [A man who would never get on in [the world]519-the world]4863-a man who would never get on in the world ; but who would not hurt a worm . Indeed , [[his]173-robert chambers]4865-his chambers were converted into [a perfect dog - kennel]4866-a perfect dog - kennel , by [his]173-robert habit of bringing home stray and benighted curs , who were attracted by [his]173-robert looks in [the street]4740-the street , and followed [him]173-robert with abject fondness . [Robert]173-robert always spent the hunting season at [Audley Court]1-audley court ; not that [he]173-robert was distinguished as [a Nimrod]4868-a nimrod , for [he]173-robert would quietly trot to covert upon [a mild - tempered , stout - limbed bay hack]4869-a mild - tempered , stout - limbed bay hack , and keep at a very respectful distance from [the hard riders]4870-the hard riders ; [his]173-robert horse knowing quite as well as [he]173-robert did , that nothing was further from [his]173-robert thoughts than any desire to be in at the death . [The young man]667-the young man was a great favorite with [[his]667-the young man uncle]4872-his uncle , and by no means despised by [[his]667-the young man pretty , gipsy - faced , light - hearted , hoydenish cousin]4873-his pretty , gipsy - faced , light - hearted , hoydenish cousin , [Miss Alicia Audley]149-alicia . It might have seemed to [other men]4874-other men , that the partiality of [a young lady who was sole heiress to [a very fine estate]4876-a very fine estate]4875-a young lady who was sole heiress to a very fine estate , was rather well worth cultivating , but it did not so occur to [Robert Audley]173-robert . [Alicia]149-alicia was [a very nice girl]4877-a very nice girl , [he]173-robert said , [a jolly girl]4878-a jolly girl , with no nonsense about [her]149-alicia — [a girl of a thousand]4879-a girl of a thousand ; but this was the highest point to which enthusiasm could carry [him]173-robert . The idea of turning [[his]173-robert cousin]786-his cousin 's girlish liking for [him]173-robert to some good account never entered [his]173-robert idle brain . [I]167-luke doubt if [he]173-robert even had any correct notion of the amount of [[his]173-robert uncle]4872-his uncle 's fortune , and [I]167-luke am certain that [he]173-robert never for one moment calculated upon the chances of any part of that fortune ultimately coming to [himself]173-robert . So that when , one fine spring morning , about three months before the time of which [I]167-luke am writing , [the postman]4882-the postman brought [him]173-robert the wedding cards of [Sir Michael]146-sir michael and [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , together with a very indignant letter from [[his]173-robert cousin]786-his cousin , setting forth how [[her]786-his cousin father]481-her father had just married [a wax - dollish young person , no older than [Alicia]149-alicia [herself]149-alicia]4885-a wax - dollish young person , no older than alicia herself , with flaxen ringlets , and a perpetual giggle ; for [I]167-luke am sorry to say that [Miss Audley]149-alicia 's animus caused [her]149-alicia thus to describe that pretty musical laugh which had been so much admired in [the late Miss Lucy Graham]152-miss graham — when , [I]167-luke say , these documents reached [Robert Audley]173-robert — they elicited neither vexation nor astonishment in the lymphatic nature of [that gentleman]4886-that gentleman . [He]173-robert read [Alicia]149-alicia 's angry crossed and recrossed letter without so much as removing the amber mouth - piece of [his]173-robert German pipe from [his]173-robert mustached lips . When [he]173-robert had finished the perusal of the epistle , which [he]173-robert read with [his]173-robert dark eyebrows elevated to the center of [his]173-robert forehead ( [his]173-robert only manner of expressing surprise , by the way ) [he]173-robert deliberately threw that and the wedding cards into the waste - paper basket , and putting down [his]173-robert pipe , prepared [himself]173-robert for the exertion of thinking out the subject . "[167-luke] [I]0-i always said [the old buffer]834-the old buffer would marry , " [he]173-robert muttered , after about half an hour 's revery . [Alicia]149-alicia and [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , [the stepmother]4888-the stepmother , will go at it hammer and tongs . [I]0-i hope [they]4889-they wo n't quarrel in the hunting season , or say unpleasant things to [each other]4890-each other at the dinner - table ; rows always upset [a man]445-a man 's digestion . At about twelve o'clock on the morning following that night upon which the events recorded in [my]0-i last chapter had taken place , [[the baronet]465-the baronet 's nephew]4893-the baronet 's nephew strolled out of [the Temple]4856-the temple , [Blackfriarsward]16-blackfriarsward , on [his]4893-the baronet 's nephew way to [the city]4895-the city . [He]4893-the baronet 's nephew had in an evil hour obliged [some necessitous friend]4896-some necessitous friend by putting the ancient name of [Audley]150-lady audley across a bill of accommodation , which bill not having been provided for by [the drawer]4897-the drawer , [Robert]173-robert was called upon to pay . For this purpose [he]4893-the baronet 's nephew sauntered up [Ludgate Hill]17-ludgate hill , with [his]4893-the baronet 's nephew blue necktie fluttering in the hot August air , and thence to [a refreshingly cool banking - house in [a shady court out of [St. Paul 's churchyard]4900-st. paul 's churchyard]4899-a shady court out of st. paul 's churchyard]4898-a refreshingly cool banking - house in a shady court out of st. paul 's churchyard , where [he]4893-the baronet 's nephew made arrangements for selling out a couple of hundred pounds ' worth of consols . [He]4893-the baronet 's nephew had transacted this business , and was loitering at the corner of [the court]373-the court , waiting for a chance hansom to convey [him]4893-the baronet 's nephew back to [the Temple]4856-the temple , when [he]4893-the baronet 's nephew was almost knocked down by [a man of about [his]4893-the baronet 's nephew own age]4903-a man of about his own age , who dashed headlong into the narrow opening . "[0-i] Be so good as to look where [you]835-you 're going , [[my]0-i friend]836-my friend ! " [Robert]173-robert remonstrated , mildly , to [the impetuous passenger]4904-the impetuous passenger ; "[835-you] [you]835-you might give [a man]445-a man warning before [you]835-you throw [him]445-a man down and trample upon [him]445-a man . " [The stranger]4905-the stranger stopped suddenly , looked very hard at [the speaker]4906-the speaker , and then gasped for breath . "[174-bob] [Bob]174-bob ! " [he]0-i cried , in a tone expressive of the most intense astonishment ; "[174-bob] [I]0-i only touched [British ground]838-british ground after dark last night , and to think that [I]0-i should meet [you]174-bob this morning . " "[0-i] [I]0-i 've seen [you]174-bob somewhere before , [[my]0-i bearded friend]839-my bearded friend , " said [Mr. Audley]173-robert , calmly scrutinizing the animated face of [the other]4907-the other , "[174-bob] but [I]0-i 'll be hanged if [I]0-i can remember when or where . " "[0-i] What ! " exclaimed [the stranger]4905-the stranger , reproachfully . "[0-i] [You]174-bob do n't mean to say that [you]174-bob 've forgotten [George Talboys]157-george ? " "[174-bob] No [I]0-i have not ! " said [Robert]173-robert , with an emphasis by no means usual to [him]173-robert ; and then hooking [his]173-robert arm into that of [[his]173-robert friend]4909-his friend , [he]173-robert led [him]4909-his friend into [the shady court]4910-the shady court , saying , with [his]173-robert old indifference , "[157-george] and now , [George]157-george tell [us]840-us all about it . " [George Talboys]157-george did tell [him]157-george all about it . [He]157-george told that very story which [he]157-george had related ten days before to [the pale governess on board [the Argus]618-the argus]4911-the pale governess on board the argus ; and then , hot and breathless , [he]157-george said that [he]157-george had twenty thousand pounds or so in [his]157-george pocket , and that [he]157-george wanted to bank it at [Messrs.]18-messrs. — — , who had been [[his]157-george bankers]4913-his bankers many years before . "[157-george] If [you]841-you 'll believe [me]0-i , [I]0-i 've only just left [[their]842-their counting - house]843-their counting - house , " said [Robert]173-robert . "[0-i] [I]0-i 'll go back with [you]841-you , and [we]844-they 'll settle that matter in five minutes . " [They]844-they did contrive to settle it in about a quarter of an hour ; and then [Robert Audley]173-robert was for starting off immediately for the Crown and Scepter , at [Greenwich]19-greenwich , or [the Castle]4914-the castle , at [Richmond]20-richmond , where [they]844-they could have a bit of dinner , and talk over those good old times when [they]844-they were together at [Eton]21-eton . But [George]157-george told [[his]157-george friend]4909-his friend that before [he]157-george went anywhere , before [he]157-george shaved or broke [his]157-george fast , or in any way refreshed [himself]157-george after a night journey from [Liverpool]6-liverpool by [express train]4916-express train , [he]157-george must call at [a certain coffee - house in [Bridge street]22-bridge street]4917-a certain coffee - house in bridge street , [Westminster]23-westminster , where [he]157-george expected to find a letter from [[his]157-george wife]554-his wife . As [they]4919-they dashed through [Ludgate Hill]17-ludgate hill , [Fleet street]24-fleet street , and [the Strand]4920-the strand , in a fast hansom , [George Talboys]157-george poured into [[his]157-george friend]4909-his friend 's ear all those wild hopes and dreams which had usurped such a dominion over [his]157-george sanguine nature . "[0-i] [I]0-i shall take [a villa on [the banks of [the Thames]25-the thames]846-the banks of the thames]845-a villa on the banks of the thames , [Bob]174-bob , " [he]0-i said , "[174-bob] for [the little wife]847-the little wife and [myself]0-i ; and [we]848-we 'll have [a yacht]849-a yacht , [Bob]174-bob , [old boy]850-old boy , and [you]174-bob shall lie on [the deck]851-the deck and smoke , while [[my]0-i pretty one]852-my pretty one plays [her]852-my pretty one guitar and sings songs to [us]848-we . [She]852-my pretty one 's for [all the world]853-all the world like one of those what's - its - names , who got poor old [Ulysses]175-ulysses into trouble , " added [the young man]667-the young man , whose classic lore was not very great . [The waiters at [the Westminster coffee - house]4924-the westminster coffee - house]4923-the waiters at the westminster coffee - house stared at [the hollow - eyed , unshaven stranger , with [his]667-the young man clothes of colonial cut , and [his]667-the young man boisterous , excited manner]4925-the hollow - eyed , unshaven stranger , with his clothes of colonial cut , and his boisterous , excited manner ; but [he]667-the young man had been [an old frequenter of [the place]385-the place]4926-an old frequenter of the place in [his]667-the young man military days , and when [they]4923-the waiters at the westminster coffee - house heard who [he]667-the young man was [they]4923-the waiters at the westminster coffee - house flew to do [his]667-the young man bidding . [He]667-the young man did not want much — only a bottle of soda - water , and to know if there was a letter at [the bar]4928-the bar directed to [George Talboys]157-george . [The waiter]4929-the waiter brought the soda - water before [the young men]4930-the young men had seated [themselves]4930-the young men in a shady box near [the disused fire - place]4931-the disused fire - place . No ; there was no letter for that name . [The waiter]4929-the waiter said it with consummate indifference , while [he]4929-the waiter mechanically dusted the little mahogany table . [George]157-george 's face blanched to a deadly whiteness . "[157-george] [Talboys]157-george , " [he]4929-the waiter said ; "[157-george] perhaps [you]854-you did n't hear the name distinctly — T , A , L , B , O , [Y]855-y , S. Go and look again , there must be a letter . " [The waiter]4929-the waiter shrugged [his]4929-the waiter shoulders as [he]4929-the waiter left [the room]595-the room , and returned in three minutes to say that there was no name at all resembling [Talboys]157-george in the letter rack . There was [Brown]176-this mr. thomas brown , and [Sanderson]177-sanderson , and [Pinchbeck]178-pinchbeck ; only three letters altogether . [The young man]667-the young man drank [his]667-the young man soda - water in silence , and then , leaning [his]667-the young man elbows on the table , covered [his]667-the young man face with [his]667-the young man hands . There was something in [his]667-the young man manner which told [Robert Audley]173-robert that [his]667-the young man disappointment , trifling as it may appear , was in reality a very bitter one . [He]667-the young man seated [himself]667-the young man opposite to [[his]667-the young man friend]4909-his friend , but did not attempt to address [him]4909-his friend . By - and - by [George]157-george looked up , and mechanically taking a greasy Times newspaper of the day before from a heap of journals on the table , stared vacantly at the first page . [I]855-y can not tell how long [he]157-george sat blankly staring at one paragraph among the list of deaths , before [his]157-george dazed brain took in its full meaning ; but after considerable pause [he]157-george pushed the newspaper over to [Robert Audley]173-robert , and with a face that had changed from its dark bronze to a sickly , chalky grayish white , and with an awful calmness in [his]157-george manner , [he]157-george pointed with [his]157-george finger to a line which ran thus : "[855-y] On the 24th inst . , at [Ventnor]26-ventnor , [[Isle]27-isle of [Wight]29-wight]28-isle of wight , [Helen Talboys]179-helen talboys , aged 22 . " Yes , there it was in black and [white—"Helen[179-helen talboys] Talboys]179-helen talboys , aged 22 . " When [George]157-george told [the governess on board the Argus]4937-the governess on board the argus that if [he]157-george heard any evil tidings of [[his]157-george wife]554-his wife [he]157-george should drop down dead , [he]157-george spoke in perfect good faith ; and yet , here were the worst tidings that could come to [him]157-george , and [he]157-george sat rigid , white and helpless , staring stupidly at the shocked face of [[his]157-george friend]4909-his friend . The suddenness of the blow had stunned [him]157-george . In this strange and bewildered state of mind [he]157-george began to wonder what had happened , and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon [him]157-george . Then by degrees even this vague consciousness of [his]157-george misfortune faded slowly out of [his]157-george mind , succeeded by a painful consciousness of external things . The hot August sunshine , the dusty window - panes and shabby - painted blinds , a file of fly - blown play - bills fastened to the wall , the black and empty fire - places , [a bald - headed old man]4940-a bald - headed old man nodding over the Morning Advertizer , [the slip - shod waiter]4941-the slip - shod waiter folding a tumbled table - cloth , and [Robert Audley]173-robert 's handsome face looking at [him]157-george full of compassionate alarm — [he]157-george knew that all these things took gigantic proportions , and then , one by one , melted into dark blots and swam before [his]157-george eyes , [He]157-george knew that there was a great noise , as of half a dozen furious steam - engines tearing and grinding in [his]157-george ears , and [he]157-george knew nothing more — except that [somebody or something fell heavily to the ground]4942-somebody or something fell heavily to the ground . [He]157-george opened [his]157-george eyes upon the dusky evening in [a cool and shaded room]4943-a cool and shaded room , the silence only broken by the rumbling of wheels at a distance . [He]157-george looked about [him]157-george wonderingly , but half indifferently . [[His]157-george old friend]4944-his old friend , [Robert Audley]173-robert , was seated by [his]157-george side smoking . [George]157-george was lying on a low iron bedstead opposite to an open window , in which there was a stand of flowers and two or three birds in cages . "[179-helen talboys] [You]856-you do n't mind the pipe , do [you]856-you , [George]157-george ? " [[his]157-george friend]4909-his friend asked , quietly . "[856-you] No . " [He]157-george lay for some time looking at the flowers and the birds ; one canary was singing a shrill hymn to the setting sun . "[856-you] Do the birds annoy [you]856-you , [George]157-george ? Shall [I]0-i take [them]857-them out of [the room]595-the room ? " "[0-i] No ; [I]0-i like to hear [them]857-them sing . " [Robert Audley]173-robert knocked the ashes out of [his]173-robert pipe , laid the precious meerschaum tenderly upon the mantelpiece , and going into [the next room]4946-the next room , returned presently with a cup of strong tea . "[0-i] Take this , [George]157-george , " [he]173-robert said , as [he]173-robert placed the cup on a little table close to [George]157-george 's pillow ; "[157-george] it will do [your]157-george head good . " [The young man]667-the young man did not answer , but looked slowly round [the room]595-the room , and then at [[his]667-the young man friend]4909-his friend 's grave face . "[174-bob] [Bob]174-bob , " [he]173-robert said , "[174-bob] where are [we]859-we ? " "[174-bob] In [[my]0-i chambers]860-my chambers , [dear boy]861-dear boy , in [the Temple]4856-the temple . [You]157-george have [no lodgings of [your]157-george own]863-no lodgings of your own , so [you]157-george may as well stay with [me]0-i while [you]157-george 're in [town]864-town . " [George]157-george passed [his]157-george hand once or twice across [his]157-george forehead , and then , in a hesitating manner , said , quietly : "[174-bob] That newspaper this morning , [Bob]174-bob ; what was it ? " "[174-bob] Never mind just now , [old boy]850-old boy ; drink some tea . " "[179-helen talboys] Yes , yes , " cried [George]157-george , impatiently , raising [himself]157-george upon the bed , and staring about [him]157-george with hollow eyes . "[179-helen talboys] [I]0-i remember all about it . [Helen]179-helen talboys ! [[my]0-i Helen]866-my helen ! [[my]0-i wife]711-my wife , [[my]0-i darling]4709-my darling , [[my]0-i only love]869-my only love ! Dead , dead ! " "[157-george] [George]157-george , " said [Robert Audley]173-robert , laying [his]173-robert hand gently upon [the young man]667-the young man 's arm , "[157-george] [you]157-george must remember that [the person whose name [you]157-george saw in the paper may not be [[your]157-george wife]4675-your wife]870-the person whose name you saw in the paper may not be your wife . There may have been some other [Helen Talboys]179-helen talboys . " "[179-helen talboys] No , no ! " [he]667-the young man cried ; "[179-helen talboys] the age corresponds with [hers]4675-your wife , and [Talboys]179-helen talboys is such an uncommon name . " "[179-helen talboys] It may be a misprint for [Talbot]180-talbot . " "[180-talbot] No , no , no ; [[my]0-i wife]711-my wife is dead ! " [He]667-the young man shook off [Robert]173-robert 's restraining hand , and rising from the bed , walked straight to the door . "[157-george] Where are [you]157-george going ? " exclaimed [[his]667-the young man friend]4909-his friend . "[157-george] To [Ventnor]26-ventnor , to see [her]4675-your wife grave . " "[157-george] Not to - night , [George]157-george , not to - night . [I]0-i will go with [you]157-george [myself]0-i by [the first train]873-the first train to - morrow . " [Robert]173-robert led [him]157-george back to the bed , and gently forced [him]157-george to lie down again . [He]173-robert then gave [him]157-george an opiate , which had been left for [him]157-george by [the medical man whom [they]4953-they had called in at [the coffee - house in [Bridge street]4955-bridge street]4954-the coffee - house in bridge street]4952-the medical man whom they had called in at the coffee - house in bridge street , when [George]157-george fainted . So [George Talboys]157-george fell into a heavy slumber , and dreamed that [he]157-george went to [Ventnor]26-ventnor , to find [[his]157-george wife]554-his wife alive and happy , but wrinkled , old , and gray , and to find [[his]157-george son]4957-his son grown into [a young man]4958-a young man . Early the next morning [he]157-george was seated opposite to [Robert Audley]173-robert in [the first - class carriage]4959-the first - class carriage of [an express]4960-an express , whirling through [the pretty open country]4961-the pretty open country toward [Portsmouth]30-portsmouth . [They]874-they landed at [Ventnor]26-ventnor under the burning heat of the midday sun . As [the two young men]4962-the two young men came from [the steamer]4963-the steamer , [the people on [the pier]4715-the pier]4964-the people on the pier stared at [George]157-george 's white face and untrimmed beard . "[0-i] What are [we]874-they to do , [George]157-george ? " [Robert Audley]173-robert asked . "[157-george] [We]874-they have no clew to finding [the people [you]157-george want to see]875-the people you want to see . " [The young man]667-the young man looked at [him]667-the young man with a pitiful , bewildered expression . [The big dragoon]4967-the big dragoon was as helpless as [a baby]4838-a baby ; and [Robert Audley]173-robert , [the most vacillating and unenergetic of men]4969-the most vacillating and unenergetic of men , found [himself]173-robert called upon to act for another . [He]173-robert rose superior to [himself]173-robert , and equal to the occasion . "[874-they] Had [we]874-they not better ask at [one of [the hotels]877-the hotels]876-one of the hotels about [a Mrs. Talboys]181-george talboys , [George]181-george talboys ? " [he]173-robert said . "[181-george talboys] [[Her]181-george talboys father]481-her father 's name was [Maldon]182-mr. maldon , " [George]181-george talboys muttered ; "[481-her father] [he]481-her father could never have sent [her]181-george talboys here to die alone . " [They]874-they said nothing more ; but [Robert]173-robert walked straight to [a hotel]4970-a hotel where [he]173-robert inquired for [a Mr. Maldon]182-mr. maldon . Yes , [they]874-they told [him]173-robert , there was [a gentleman of that name]4971-a gentleman of that name stopping at [Ventnor]26-ventnor , [a Captain [Maldon]182-mr. maldon]4972-a captain maldon ; [[his]481-her father daughter]556-his daughter was lately dead . [The waiter]4929-the waiter would go and inquire for the address . [The hotel]4975-the hotel was [a busy place at this season]4976-a busy place at this season ; [people hurrying in and out]4977-people hurrying in and out , and a great bustle of [grooms]4978-grooms and [waiters]4979-waiters about [the halls]4980-the halls . [George Talboys]181-george talboys leaned against the doorpost , with much the same look in [his]173-robert face , as that which had frightened [[his]173-robert friend]4909-his friend in [the Westminister coffee - house]4982-the westminister coffee - house . The worst was confirmed now . [[His]481-her father wife]554-his wife , [[Captain Maldon]183-captain maldon 's daughter]4984-captain maldon 's daughter was dead . [The waiter]4929-the waiter returned in about five minutes to say that [Captain Maldon]183-captain maldon was lodging at [Lansdowne Cottage]31-lansdowne cottage , [No . 4]4986-no . 4 . [They]4929-the waiter easily found [the house]388-the house , [a shabby , low - windowed cottage]4988-a shabby , low - windowed cottage , looking toward [the water]403-the water . Was [Captain Maldon]183-captain maldon at [home]479-home ? No , [the landlady]4991-the landlady said ; [he]183-captain maldon had gone out on [the beach]4992-the beach with [[his]183-captain maldon little grandson]4993-his little grandson . Would [the gentleman]4994-the gentleman walk in and sit down a bit ? [George]181-george talboys mechanically followed [[his]183-captain maldon friend]4909-his friend into [the little front parlor]4996-the little front parlor — dusty , shabbily furnished , and disorderly , with [a child]4759-a child 's broken toys scattered on the floor , and the scent of stale tobacco hanging about the muslin window - curtains . "[481-her father] Look ! " said [George]181-george talboys , pointing to a picture over the mantelpiece . It was [his]183-captain maldon own portrait , painted in the old dragooning days . A pretty good likeness , representing [him]183-captain maldon in uniform , with [his]183-captain maldon charger in the background . Perhaps the most animated of [men]4634-men would have been scarcely so wise a comforter as [Robert Audley]173-robert . [He]183-captain maldon did not utter a word to [the stricken widower]4999-the stricken widower , but quietly seated [himself]183-captain maldon with [his]183-captain maldon back to [George]181-george talboys , looking out of the open window . For some time [the young man]667-the young man wandered restlessly about [the room]595-the room , looking at and sometimes touching the nick - nacks lying here and there . [Her]879-her workbox , with an unfinished piece of work ; [her]879-her album full of extracts from [Byron]160-byron and [Moore]184-moore , written in [his]183-captain maldon own scrawling hand ; some books which [he]183-captain maldon had given [her]879-her , and a bunch of withered flowers in a vase [they]880-they had bought in [Italy]9-italy . "[481-her father] [Her]879-her portrait used to hang by the side of mine , " [he]183-captain maldon muttered ; "[879-her] [I]0-i wonder what [they]880-they have done with it . " By - and - by [he]183-captain maldon said , after about an hour 's silence : "[880-they] [I]0-i should like to see [the woman of [the house]388-the house]881-the woman of the house ; [I]0-i should like to ask [her]881-the woman of the house about — " [He]183-captain maldon broke down , and buried [his]183-captain maldon face in [his]183-captain maldon hands . [Robert]173-robert summoned [the landlady]4991-the landlady . [She]4991-the landlady was [a good - natured garrulous creature , accustomed to sickness and death]5003-a good - natured garrulous creature , accustomed to sickness and death , for [many of [[her]4991-the landlady lodgers]5005-her lodgers]5004-many of her lodgers came to [her]4991-the landlady to die . [She]4991-the landlady told all the particulars of [Mrs. Talboys]181-george talboys ' last hours ; how [she]4991-the landlady had come to [Ventnor]26-ventnor only ten days before [her]4991-the landlady death , in the last stage of decline ; and how , day by day , [she]4991-the landlady had gradually , but surely , sunk under the fatal malady . Was [the gentleman]4994-the gentleman [any relative]5007-any relative ? [she]4991-the landlady asked of [Robert Audley]173-robert , as [George]181-george talboys sobbed aloud . "[883-he] Yes , [he]883-he is [[the lady]673-the lady 's husband]885-the lady 's husband . " "[883-he] What ! " [the woman]5008-the woman cried ; "[883-he] [him]883-he as deserted [her]673-the lady so cruel , and left [her]673-the lady with [[her]673-the lady pretty boy]886-her pretty boy upon [[her]673-the lady poor old father]887-her poor old father 's hands , which [Captain Maldon]183-captain maldon has told [me]0-i often , with the tears in [his]183-captain maldon poor eyes ? " "[183-captain maldon] [I]0-i did not desert [her]673-the lady , " [George]181-george talboys cried out ; and then [he]0-i told the history of [his]0-i three years ' struggle . "[0-i] Did [she]673-the lady speak of [me]0-i ? " [he]0-i asked ; "[673-the lady] did [she]673-the lady speak of [me]0-i — at — at the last ? " "[673-the lady] No , [she]673-the lady went off as quiet as a lamb . [She]673-the lady said very little from the first ; but the last day [she]673-the lady knew [nobody]566-nobody , not even [[her]673-the lady little boy]889-her little boy , nor [[her]673-the lady poor old father]887-her poor old father , who took on awful . Once [she]673-the lady went off wild - like , talking about [[her]673-the lady mother]891-her mother , and about the cruel shame it was to leave [her]673-the lady to die in [a strange place]892-a strange place , till it was quite pitiful to hear [her]673-the lady . " "[673-the lady] [[Her]673-the lady mother]891-her mother died when [she]673-the lady was quite [a child]4759-a child , " said [George]181-george talboys . "[673-the lady] To think that [she]673-the lady should remember [her]673-the lady and speak of [her]673-the lady , but never once of [me]0-i . " [The woman]5008-the woman took [him]887-her poor old father into [the little bedroom in which [[his]887-her poor old father wife]554-his wife had died]5010-the little bedroom in which his wife had died . [He]887-her poor old father knelt down by the bed and kissed the pillow tenderly , [the landlady]4991-the landlady crying as [he]887-her poor old father did so . While [he]887-her poor old father was kneeling , praying , perhaps , with [his]887-her poor old father face buried in this humble , snow - white pillow , [the woman]5008-the woman took something from a drawer . [She]5008-the woman gave it to [him]887-her poor old father when [he]887-her poor old father rose from [his]887-her poor old father knees ; it was a long tress of hair wrapped in silver paper . "[673-the lady] [I]0-i cut this off when [she]673-the lady lay in [her]673-the lady coffin , " [she]5008-the woman said , "[0-i] [poor dear]895-poor dear ? " [He]887-her poor old father pressed the soft lock to [his]887-her poor old father lips . "[0-i] Yes , " [he]887-her poor old father murmured ; "[0-i] this is the dear hair that [I]0-i have kissed so often when [her]673-the lady head lay upon [my]0-i shoulder . But it always had a rippling wave in it then , and now it seems smooth and straight . " "[896-they] It changes in illness , " said [the landlady]4991-the landlady . "[896-they] If [you]0-i 'd like to see where [they]896-they have laid [her]673-the lady , [Mr. Talboys]157-george , [[my]0-i little boy]897-my little boy shall show [you]0-i the way to [the churchyard]898-the churchyard . " So [George Talboys]157-george and [[his]157-george faithful friend]5015-his faithful friend walked to [the quiet spot]5016-the quiet spot , where , beneath [a mound of earth]5017-a mound of earth , to which [the patches of fresh turf]5018-the patches of fresh turf hardly adhered , lay [that wife of whose welcoming smile [George]157-george had dreamed so often in [the far antipodes]5020-the far antipodes]5019-that wife of whose welcoming smile george had dreamed so often in the far antipodes . [Robert]173-robert left [the young man]667-the young man by the side of [this newly - made grave]5022-this newly - made grave , and returning in about a quarter of an hour , found that [he]667-the young man had not once stirred . [He]667-the young man looked up presently , and said that if there was [a stone - mason]5023-a stone - mason 's anywhere near [he]667-the young man should like to give an order . [They]5024-they very easily found [the stonemason]5025-the stonemason , and sitting down amidst the fragmentary litter of [[the man]634-the man 's yard]5027-the man 's yard , [George Talboys]157-george wrote in pencil this brief inscription for the headstone of [[[his]157-george dead wife]5028-his dead wife 's grave]5029-his dead wife 's grave : Sacred to the Memory of [HELEN]179-helen talboys , [THE BELOVED WIFE OF [GEORGE TALBOYS]157-george , Who departed this life August 24th , 18 — , aged 22 , Deeply regretted by [[her]179-helen talboys sorrowing Husband]5031-her sorrowing husband]5030-the beloved wife of george talboys , who departed this life august 24th , 18 — , aged 22 , deeply regretted by her sorrowing husband . When [they]5024-they returned to [Lansdowne Cottage]31-lansdowne cottage [they]5024-they found [the old man]694-the old man had not yet come in , so [they]5024-they walked down to [the beach]4992-the beach to look for [him]694-the old man . After a brief search [they]5024-they found [him]694-the old man , sitting upon a heap of pebbles , reading a newspaper and eating filberts . [The little boy]5034-the little boy was at some distance from [[his]5034-the little boy grandfather]5035-his grandfather , digging in the sand with a wooden spade . The crape round [the old man]694-the old man 's shabby hat , and [the child]5037-the child 's poor little black frock , went to [George]157-george 's heart . Go where [he]157-george would [he]157-george met fresh confirmation of this great grief of [his]157-george life . [[His]157-george wife]554-his wife was dead . "[897-my little boy] [Mr. Maldon]182-mr. maldon , " [he]157-george said , as [he]157-george approached [[his]5034-the little boy father - in - law]5039-his father - in - law . [The old man]694-the old man looked up , and , dropping [his]694-the old man newspaper , rose from the pebbles with a ceremonious bow . [His]694-the old man faded light hair was tinged with gray ; [he]694-the old man had a pinched hook nose ; watery blue eyes , and an irresolute - looking mouth ; [he]694-the old man wore [his]694-the old man shabby dress with an affectation of foppish gentility ; an eye - glass dangled over [his]694-the old man closely buttoned - up waistcoat , and [he]694-the old man carried a cane in [his]694-the old man ungloved hand . "[182-mr. maldon] Great Heaven ! " cried [George]157-george , "[182-mr. maldon] do n't [you]182-mr. maldon know [me]0-i ? " [Mr. Maldon]182-mr. maldon started and colored violently , with something of a frightened look , as [he]182-mr. maldon recognized [[his]182-mr. maldon son - in - law]5041-his son - in - law . "[182-mr. maldon] [[My]0-i dear boy]899-my dear boy , " [he]182-mr. maldon said , "[182-mr. maldon] [I]0-i did not ; for the first moment [I]0-i did not . That beard makes such a difference . [You]0-i find the beard makes a great difference , do [you]0-i not , [sir]900-sir ? " [he]182-mr. maldon said , appealing to [Robert]173-robert . "[0-i] Great heavens ! " exclaimed [George Talboys]157-george , "[182-mr. maldon] is this the way [you]182-mr. maldon welcome [me]0-i ? [I]0-i come to [England]7-england to find [[my]0-i wife]711-my wife dead within a week of [[my]0-i touching land]902-my touching land , and [you]182-mr. maldon begin to chatter to [me]0-i about [my]0-i beard — [you]182-mr. maldon , [[her]711-my wife father]481-her father ! " "[182-mr. maldon] True ! true ! " muttered [the old man]694-the old man , wiping [his]694-the old man bloodshot eyes ; "[182-mr. maldon] a sad shock , a sad shock , [[my]0-i dear]4626-my dear [George]157-george . If [you]182-mr. maldon 'd only been [here]4776-here a week earlier . " "[182-mr. maldon] If [I]0-i had , " cried [George]157-george , in an outburst of grief and passion , "[0-i] [I]0-i scarcely think that [I]0-i would have let [her]711-my wife die . [I]0-i would have disputed for [her]711-my wife with death . [I]0-i would ! [I]0-i would ! [Oh God]164-god ! why did not [the Argus]618-the argus go down with every soul on board [her]711-my wife before [I]0-i came to see this day ? " [He]157-george began to walk up and down [the beach]4992-the beach , [[his]157-george father - in - law]5039-his father - in - law looking helplessly at [him]157-george , rubbing [his]907-that old man feeble eyes with a handkerchief . "[0-i] [I]0-i 've a strong notion that [that old man]907-that old man did n't treat [[his]907-that old man daughter]556-his daughter too well , " thought [Robert]173-robert , as [he]173-robert watched [the half - pay lieutenant]5045-the half - pay lieutenant . "[907-that old man] [He]907-that old man seems , for some reason or other , to be half afraid of [George]157-george . " While [the agitated young man]5046-the agitated young man walked up and down in a fever of regret and despair , [the child]5037-the child ran to [[his]5037-the child grandfather]5035-his grandfather , and clung about the tails of [his]5035-his grandfather coat . "[907-that old man] Come [home]479-home , [grandpa]910-grandpa , come [home]479-home , " [he]0-i said . "[910-grandpa] [I]0-i 'm tired . " [George Talboys]157-george turned at the sound of the babyish voice , and looked long and earnestly at [the boy]5049-the boy . [He]5049-the boy had [[his]5037-the child father]709-his father 's brown eyes and dark hair . "[0-i] [[My]0-i darling]4709-my darling ! [[my]0-i darling]4709-my darling ! " said [George]157-george , taking [the child]5037-the child in [his]157-george arms , "[0-i] [I]0-i am [[your]4709-my darling father]914-your father , come across [the sea]661-the sea to find [you]4709-my darling . Will [you]4709-my darling love [me]0-i ? " [The little fellow]5052-the little fellow pushed [him]157-george away . "[0-i] [I]0-i do n't know [you]4709-my darling , " [he]0-i said . "[0-i] [I]0-i love [grandpa]185-grandpa and [Mrs. Monks]186-mrs. monks at [Southampton]33-southampton . " "[186-mrs. monks] [Georgey]187-georgey has a temper of [his]187-georgey own , [sir]900-sir , " said [the old man]694-the old man . "[187-georgey] [He]187-georgey has been spoiled . " [They]5054-they walked slowly back to [the cottage]5055-the cottage , and once more [George Talboys]157-george told the history of that desertion which had seemed so cruel . [He]157-george told , too , of the twenty thousand pounds banked by [him]157-george the day before . [He]157-george had not the heart to ask any questions about the past , and [[his]157-george father - in - law]5039-his father - in - law only told [him]157-george that a few months after [his]157-george departure [they]5054-they had gone from [the place where [George]157-george left [them]5054-they to live at [Southampton]33-southampton]5057-the place where george left them to live at southampton , where [Helen]179-helen talboys got [a few pupils]5058-a few pupils for the piano , and where [they]5054-they managed pretty well till [her]179-helen talboys health failed , and [she]179-helen talboys fell into the decline of which [she]179-helen talboys died . Like most sad stories it was a very brief one . "[187-georgey] [The boy]5049-the boy seems fond of [you]918-you , [Mr. Maldon]182-mr. maldon , " said [George]157-george , after a pause . "[5049-the boy] Yes , yes , " answered [the old man]694-the old man , smoothing [the child]5037-the child 's curling hair ; "[5049-the boy] yes . [Georgey]187-georgey is very fond of [[his]187-georgey grandfather]5035-his grandfather . " "[187-georgey] Then [he]5049-the boy had better stop with [you]918-you . The interest of [my]0-i money will be about six hundred a year . [You]918-you can draw a hundred of that for [Georgey]187-georgey 's education , leaving the rest to accumulate till [he]5049-the boy is of age . [[My]0-i friend]836-my friend here will be [trustee]921-trustee , and if [he]836-my friend will undertake the charge , [I]0-i will appoint [him]836-my friend guardian to [the boy]5049-the boy , allowing [him]5049-the boy for the present to remain under [your]918-you care . " "[0-i] But why not take care of [him]5049-the boy [yourself]918-you , [George]157-george ? " asked [Robert Audley]173-robert . "[918-you] Because [I]0-i shall sail in [the very next vessel]923-the very next vessel that leaves [Liverpool]6-liverpool for [Australia]11-australia . [I]0-i shall be better in the diggings or [the backwoods]924-the backwoods than ever [I]0-i could be [here]4776-here . [I]0-i 'm broken for a civilized life from this hour , [Bob]174-bob . " [The old man]694-the old man 's weak eyes sparkled as [George]157-george declared this determination . "[174-bob] [[My]0-i poor boy]926-my poor boy , [I]0-i think [you]926-my poor boy 're right , " [he]0-i said , "[0-i] [I]0-i really think [you]926-my poor boy 're right . The change , the wild life , the — the — " [He]157-george hesitated and broke down as [Robert]173-robert looked earnestly at [him]157-george . "[926-my poor boy] [You]926-my poor boy 're in a great hurry to get rid of [[your]926-my poor boy son - in - law]927-your son - in - law , [I]0-i think , [Mr. Maldon]182-mr. maldon , " [he]0-i said , gravely . "[0-i] Get rid of [him]927-your son - in - law , [dear boy]861-dear boy ! Oh , no , no ! But for [his]927-your son - in - law own sake , [[my]0-i dear sir]929-my dear sir , for [his]927-your son - in - law own sake , [you]926-my poor boy know . " "[0-i] [I]0-i think for [his]927-your son - in - law own sake [he]927-your son - in - law 'd much better stay in [England]7-england and look after [[his]927-your son - in - law son]4957-his son , " said [Robert]173-robert . "[0-i] But [I]0-i tell [you]926-my poor boy [I]0-i ca n't , " cried [George]157-george ; "[0-i] every inch of this accursed ground is hateful to [me]0-i — [I]0-i want to run out of it as [I]0-i would out of [a graveyard]931-a graveyard . [I]0-i 'll go back to [town]864-town to - night , get that business about the money settled early to - morrow morning , and start for [Liverpool]6-liverpool without a moment 's delay . [I]0-i shall be better when [I]0-i 've put half [the world]519-the world between [me]0-i and [[her]934-her grave]935-her grave . " "[927-your son - in - law] Before [he]927-your son - in - law left [the house]388-the house [he]927-your son - in - law stole out to [the landlady]4991-the landlady , and asked some more questions about [[his]927-your son - in - law dead wife]5028-his dead wife . " Were [they]5062-they poor ? "[927-your son - in - law] [he]927-your son - in - law asked , " were [they]5062-they pinched for money while [she]934-her was ill ? "[927-your son - in - law] " Oh , no ! "[5008-the woman] [the woman]5008-the woman answered ; " though [the captain]633-the captain dresses shabby , [he]633-the captain has always plenty of sovereigns in [his]633-the captain purse . [The poor lady]5064-the poor lady wanted for nothing . "[5008-the woman] [George]157-george was relieved at this , though it puzzled [him]157-george to know where [the drunken half - pay lieutenant]940-the drunken half - pay lieutenant could have contrived to find money for all the expenses of [[his]927-your son - in - law daughter]556-his daughter 's illness . But [he]157-george was too thoroughly broken down by the calamity which had befallen [him]157-george to be able to think much of anything , so [he]157-george asked no further questions , but walked with [[his]157-george father - in - law]5039-his father - in - law and [Robert Audley]173-robert down to [the boat by which [they]944-they were to cross to [Portsmouth]30-portsmouth]943-the boat by which they were to cross to portsmouth . [The old man]694-the old man bade [Robert]173-robert a very ceremonious adieu . " [You]157-george did not introduce [me]694-the old man to [[your]157-george friend]5065-your friend , by - the - bye , [[my]694-the old man dear boy]899-my dear boy , "[694-the old man] [he]694-the old man said . [George]157-george stared at [him]694-the old man , muttered something indistinct , and ran down the ladder to [the boat]946-the boat before [Mr. Maldon]182-mr. maldon could repeat [his]182-mr. maldon request . [The steamer]4963-the steamer sped away through the sunset , and the outline of [the island]948-the island melted in the horizon as [they]944-they neared [the opposite shore]949-the opposite shore . " To think , "[157-george] said [George]157-george , " that two nights ago , at this time , [I]157-george was steaming into [Liverpool]6-liverpool , full of the hope of clasping [her]5067-her to [my]157-george heart , and to - night [I]157-george am going away from [her]5067-her grave ! "[157-george] The document which appointed [Robert Audley]173-robert as guardian to [little George Talboys]157-george was drawn up in [[a solicitor]950-a solicitor 's office]951-a solicitor 's office the next morning . " It 's a great responsibility , "[173-robert] exclaimed [Robert]173-robert ; " [I]173-robert , [guardian]5068-guardian to [anybody]706-anybody or anything ! [I]173-robert , who never in [my]173-robert life could take care of [myself]173-robert ! "[173-robert] " [I]157-george trust in [your]173-robert noble heart , [Bob]174-bob , "[157-george] said [George]157-george . " [I]157-george know [you]173-robert will take care of [[my]157-george poor orphan boy]5070-my poor orphan boy , and see that [he]5070-my poor orphan boy is well used by [[his]5070-my poor orphan boy grandfather]5035-his grandfather . [I]157-george shall only draw enough from [Georgey]187-georgey 's fortune to take [me]157-george back to [Sydney]5-sydney , and then begin [my]157-george old work again . "[157-george] But it seemed as if [George]157-george was destined to be [himself]157-george [the guardian of [[his]157-george son]4957-his son]952-the guardian of his son ; for when [he]157-george reached [Liverpool]6-liverpool , [he]157-george found that [a vessel]4716-a vessel had just sailed , and that there would not be another for a month ; so [he]157-george returned to [London]3-london , and once more threw [himself]157-george upon [Robert Audley]173-robert 's hospitality . [The barrister]955-the barrister received [him]173-robert with open arms ; [he]955-the barrister gave [him]173-robert [the room]595-the room with the birds and flowers , and had a bed put up in [[his]173-robert dressing - room]957-his dressing - room for [himself]173-robert . Grief is so selfish that [George]157-george did not know the sacrifices [[his]157-george friend]4909-his friend made for [his]157-george comfort . [He]157-george only knew that for [him]173-robert the sun was darkened , and the business of life done . [He]173-robert sat all day long smoking cigars , and staring at the flowers and canaries , chafing for the time to pass that [he]173-robert might be far out at [sea]4741-sea . But just as the hour was drawing near for the sailing of [the vessel]630-the vessel , [Robert Audley]173-robert came in one day , full of a great scheme . [A friend of [his]173-robert]961-a friend of his , another of [those barristers whose last thought is of a brief]962-those barristers whose last thought is of a brief , was going to [St. Petersburg]34-st. petersburg to spend the winter , and wanted [Robert]173-robert to accompany [him]961-a friend of his . [Robert]173-robert would only go on condition that [George]157-george went too . For a long time [the young man]667-the young man resisted ; but when [he]667-the young man found that [Robert]173-robert was , in a quiet way , thoroughly determined upon not going without [him]667-the young man , [he]173-robert gave in , and consented to join [the party]964-the party . What did it matter ? [he]173-robert said . [One place]965-one place was the same to [him]173-robert as another ; anywhere out of [England]7-england ; what did [he]173-robert care where ? This was not a very cheerful way of looking at things , but [Robert Audley]173-robert was quite satisfied with having won [his]173-robert consent . [The three young men]966-the three young men started under very favorable circumstances , carrying letters of introduction to [the most influential inhabitants of [the Russian capital]968-the russian capital]967-the most influential inhabitants of the russian capital . Before leaving [England]7-england , [Robert]173-robert wrote to [[his]173-robert cousin]786-his cousin [Alicia]149-alicia , telling [her]149-alicia of [his]173-robert intended departure with [[[his]173-robert old friend]4944-his old friend [George Talboys]157-george , whom [he]173-robert had lately met for the first time after a lapse of years , and who had just lost [[his]157-george wife]554-his wife]971-his old friend george talboys , whom he had lately met for the first time after a lapse of years , and who had just lost his wife . [Alicia]149-alicia 's reply came by return post , and ran thus : " [[MY]149-alicia DEAR]4626-my dear [ROBERT]173-robert — How cruel of [you]173-robert to run away to that horrid [St. Petersburg]34-st. petersburg before the hunting season ! [I]149-alicia have heard that [people]572-people lose [their]572-people noses in that disagreeable climate , and as [yours]173-robert is rather a long one , [I]149-alicia should advise [you]173-robert to return before the very severe weather sets in . What sort of person is this [Mr. Talboys]157-george ? If [he]157-george is very agreeable [you]173-robert may bring [him]157-george to [the Court]373-the court as soon as [you]173-robert return from [your]173-robert travels . [Lady Audley]150-lady audley tells [me]149-alicia to request [you]173-robert to secure [her]150-lady audley a set of sables . [You]173-robert are not to consider the price , but to be sure that they are the handsomest that can be obtained . [Papa]188-papa is perfectly absurd about [[his]188-papa new wife]5075-his new wife , and [she]5075-his new wife and [I]149-alicia can not get on together at all ; not that [she]5075-his new wife is disagreeable to [me]149-alicia , for , as far as that goes , [she]5075-his new wife makes [herself]5075-his new wife agreeable to [every one]529-every one ; but [she]5075-his new wife is so irretrievably childish and silly . "[149-alicia] Believe [me]0-i to be , [[my]0-i dear]4626-my dear [Robert]173-robert . " [[Your]173-robert affectionate cousin]5077-your affectionate cousin , "[173-robert] [ALICIA AUDLEY]149-alicia . " The first year of [George Talboys]157-george ' widowhood passed away , the deep band of crepe about [his]157-george hat grew brown and dusty , and as the last burning day of another August faded out , [he]157-george sat smoking cigars in [the quiet chambers of [Figtree Court]14-figtree court]5078-the quiet chambers of figtree court , much as [he]157-george had done the year before , when the horror of [his]157-george grief was new to [him]157-george , and every object in life , however trifling or however important , seemed saturated with [his]157-george one great sorrow . But [the big ex - dragoon]5079-the big ex - dragoon had survived [his]157-george affliction by a twelvemonth , and hard as it may be to have to tell it , [he]157-george did not look much the worse for it . Heaven knows what wasted agonies of remorse and self - reproach may not have racked [George]157-george 's honest heart , as [he]157-george lay awake at nights thinking of [the wife [he]157-george had abandoned]5080-the wife he had abandoned in the pursuit of a fortune , which [she]5080-the wife he had abandoned never lived to share . Once , while [they]976-they were abroad , [Robert Audley]173-robert ventured to congratulate [him]157-george upon [his]157-george recovered spirits . [He]173-robert burst into a bitter laugh . "[149-alicia] Do [you]974-you know , [Bob]174-bob , " [he]173-robert said , "[974-you] that when [some of [[our]976-they fellows]977-our fellows]975-some of our fellows were wounded in [India]35-india , [they]975-some of our fellows came [home]479-home , bringing bullets inside [them]975-some of our fellows . [They]975-some of our fellows did not talk of [them]975-some of our fellows , and [they]975-some of our fellows were stout and hearty , and looked as well , perhaps , as [you]974-you or [I]0-i ; but every change in the weather , however slight , every variation of the atmosphere , however trifling , brought back the old agony of [their]975-some of our fellows wounds as sharp as ever [they]975-some of our fellows had felt it on the battle - field . [I]0-i 've had [my]0-i wound , [Bob]174-bob ; [I]0-i carry the bullet still , and [I]0-i shall carry it into [my]0-i coffin . " [The travelers]5081-the travelers returned from [St. Petersburg]34-st. petersburg in the spring , and [George]157-george again took up [[his]157-george quarters]5082-his quarters at [[[his]157-george old friend]4944-his old friend 's chambers]5084-his old friend 's chambers , only leaving [them]5084-his old friend 's chambers now and then to run down to [Southampton]33-southampton and take a look at [[his]157-george little boy]5085-his little boy . [He]157-george always went loaded with toys and sweetmeats to give to [the child]5037-the child ; but , for all this , [Georgey]187-georgey would not become very familiar with [[his]187-georgey papa]5087-his papa , and [the young man]667-the young man 's heart sickened as [he]667-the young man began to fancy that even [[his]157-george child]5089-his child was lost to [him]667-the young man . "[0-i] What can [I]0-i do ? " [he]0-i thought . "[0-i] If [I]0-i take [him]979-his away from [[his]979-his grandfather]5035-his grandfather , [I]0-i shall break [his]979-his heart ; if [I]0-i let [him]979-his remain , [he]979-his will grow up [a stranger to [me]0-i]981-a stranger to me , and care more for [that drunken old hypocrite]982-that drunken old hypocrite than for [[his]979-his own father]983-his own father . But then , what could [an ignorant , heavy dragoon]984-an ignorant , heavy dragoon like [me]0-i do with [such a child]985-such a child ? What could [I]0-i teach [him]979-his , except to smoke cigars and idle around all day with [his]979-his hands in [his]979-his pockets ? " So the anniversary of that 30th of August , upon which [George]157-george had seen the advertisement of [[his]157-george wife]554-his wife 's death in the Times newspaper , came round for the first time , and [the young man]667-the young man put off [his]667-the young man black clothes and the shabby crape from [his]667-the young man hat , and laid [his]667-the young man mournful garments in a trunk in which [he]667-the young man kept a packet of [[his]157-george wife]554-his wife 's letters , [her]554-his wife portrait , and that lock of hair which had been cut from [her]554-his wife head after death . [Robert Audley]173-robert had never seen either the letters , the portrait , or the long tress of silky hair ; nor , indeed , had [George]157-george ever mentioned the name of [[his]157-george dead wife]5028-his dead wife after that one day at [Ventnor]26-ventnor , on which [he]157-george learned the full particulars of [her]554-his wife decease . "[0-i] [I]0-i shall write to [[my]0-i cousin]986-my cousin [Alicia]149-alicia to - day , [George]157-george , " [the young barrister]5094-the young barrister said , upon this very 30th of [August]189-august . "[157-george] Do [you]157-george know that the day after to - morrow is the 1st of September ? [I]0-i shall write and tell [her]149-alicia that [we]987-we will both run down to [the Court]373-the court for a week 's shooting . " "[174-bob] No , no , [Bob]174-bob ; go by [yourself]174-bob ; [they]989-they do n't want [me]0-i , and [I]0-i 'd rather — " "[0-i] Bury [yourself]174-bob in [Figtree Court]14-figtree court , with no company but [my]0-i dogs and canaries ! No , [George]157-george , [you]157-george shall do nothing of the kind . " "[157-george] But [I]0-i do n't care for shooting . " "[0-i] And do [you]157-george suppose [I]0-i care for it ? " cried [Robert]173-robert , with charming naivete . "[157-george] Why , [man]990-man , [I]0-i do n't know a partridge from a pigeon , and it might be the 1st of April , instead of the 1st of September , for aught [I]0-i care . [I]0-i never hurt a bird in [my]0-i life , but [I]0-i have hurt [my]0-i own shoulder with the weight of [my]0-i gun . [I]0-i only go down to [Essex]2-essex for the change of air , the good dinners , and the sight of [[my]0-i uncle]991-my uncle 's honest , handsome face . Besides , this time [I]0-i 've another inducement , as [I]0-i want to see [this fair - haired paragon]992-this fair - haired paragon — [[my]0-i new aunt]993-my new aunt . [You]157-george 'll go with [me]0-i , [George]157-george ? " "[157-george] Yes , if [you]157-george really wish it . " The quiet form [his]0-i grief had taken after its first brief violence , left [him]0-i as submissive as [a child]4759-a child to the will of [[his]0-i friend]4909-his friend ; ready to go anywhere or do anything ; never enjoying [himself]0-i , or originating any enjoyment , but joining in the pleasures of [others]5097-others with a hopeless , uncomplaining , unobtrusive resignation peculiar to [his]0-i simple nature . But the return of post brought a letter from [Alicia Audley]149-alicia , to say that [the two young men]4962-the two young men could not be received at [the Court]373-the court . "[157-george] There are [seventeen spare bed - rooms]994-seventeen spare bed - rooms , " wrote [the young lady]5100-the young lady , in an indignant running hand , "[157-george] but for all that , [[my]0-i dear]4626-my dear [Robert]173-robert , [you]173-robert ca n't come ; for [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady has taken it into [her]468-my lady silly head that [she]468-my lady is too ill to entertain [visitors]400-visitors ( there is no more the matter with [her]468-my lady than there is with [me]0-i ) , and [she]468-my lady can not have [gentlemen]4816-gentlemen ( [great , rough men]999-great , rough men , [she]468-my lady says ) in [the house]388-the house . Please apologize to [[your]173-robert friend]5065-your friend [Mr. Talboys]157-george , and tell [him]157-george that [papa]1002-papa expects to see [you]173-robert both in the hunting season . " "[468-my lady] [[My]0-i lady]468-my lady 's airs and graces sha n't keep [us]1004-we out of [Essex]2-essex for all that , " said [Robert]173-robert , as [he]173-robert twisted the letter into a pipe - light for [his]173-robert big meerschaum . "[0-i] [I]0-i 'll tell [you]173-robert what [we]1004-we 'll do , [George]157-george : there 's [a glorious inn]1005-a glorious inn at [Audley]150-lady audley , and plenty of fishing in [the neighborhood]504-the neighborhood ; [we]1004-we 'll go [there]374-there and have a week 's sport . Fishing is much better than shooting ; [you]173-robert 've only to lie on [a bank]1008-a bank and stare at [your]173-robert line ; [I]0-i do n't find that [you]173-robert often catch anything , but it 's very pleasant . " [He]173-robert held the twisted letter to the feeble spark of fire glimmering in the grate , as [he]173-robert spoke , and then changing [his]173-robert mind , deliberately unfolded it , and smoothed the crumpled paper with [his]173-robert hand . "[149-alicia] Poor little [Alicia]149-alicia ! " [he]173-robert said , thoughtfully ; "[149-alicia] it 's rather hard to treat [her]1009-her letter so cavalierly — [I'll]0-i keep it ; " upon which [Mr. Robert Audley]173-robert put the note back into its envelope , and afterward thrust it into a pigeon - hole in [his]173-robert office desk , marked important . Heaven knows what wonderful documents there were in this particular pigeon - hole , but [I]0-i do not think it likely to have contained anything of great judicial value . If [any one]5101-any one could at that moment have told [the young barrister]5094-the young barrister that so simple a thing as [[his]173-robert cousin]786-his cousin 's brief letter would one day come to be a link in that terrible chain of evidence afterward to be slowly forged in the only criminal case in which [he]173-robert was ever to be concerned , perhaps [Mr. Robert Audley]173-robert would have lifted [his]173-robert eyebrows a little higher than usual . So [the two young men]4962-the two young men left [London]3-london the next day , with one portmanteau and a rod and tackle between [them]4962-the two young men , and reached [the straggling , old - fashioned , fast - decaying village of [Audley]150-lady audley]5105-the straggling , old - fashioned , fast - decaying village of audley , in time to order a good dinner at [the Sun Inn]5106-the sun inn . [Audley Court]1-audley court was about three - quarters of a mile from [the village]5107-the village , lying , as [I]0-i have said , deep down in [the hollow]5108-the hollow , shut in by luxuriant timber . [You]5109-you could only reach [it]1-audley court by [a cross - road bordered by trees]5110-a cross - road bordered by trees , and as trimly kept as the avenues in [[a gentleman]4644-a gentleman 's park]5112-a gentleman 's park . [It]1-audley court was a lonely place enough , even in all [its]1-audley court rustic beauty , for so bright a creature as [the late Miss Lucy Graham]152-miss graham , but [the generous baronet]5113-the generous baronet had transformed [the interior of [the gray old mansion]5115-the gray old mansion]5114-the interior of the gray old mansion into [a little palace for [[his]5113-the generous baronet young wife]5117-his young wife]5116-a little palace for his young wife , and [Lady Audley]150-lady audley seemed as happy as [a child]4759-a child surrounded by new and costly toys . In [her]150-lady audley better fortunes , as in [her]150-lady audley old days of dependence , wherever [she]150-lady audley went [she]150-lady audley seemed to take sunshine and gladness with [her]150-lady audley . In spite of [Miss Alicia]149-alicia 's undisguised contempt for [[her]150-lady audley step - mother]5119-her step - mother 's childishness and frivolity , [Lucy]152-miss graham was better loved and more admired than [[the baronet]465-the baronet 's daughter]492-the baronet 's daughter . That very childishness had a charm which few could resist . The innocence and candor of [an infant]5122-an infant beamed in [Lady Audley]150-lady audley 's fair face , and shone out of [her]150-lady audley large and liquid blue eyes . The rosy lips , the delicate nose , the profusion of fair ringlets , all contributed to preserve to [her]150-lady audley beauty the character of extreme youth and freshness . [She]150-lady audley owned to twenty years of age , but it was hard to believe [her]150-lady audley more than seventeen . [Her]150-lady audley fragile figure , which [she]150-lady audley loved to dress in heavy velvets , and stiff , rustling silks , till [she]150-lady audley looked like [a child tricked out for a masquerade]5123-a child tricked out for a masquerade , was as girlish as if [she]150-lady audley had just left [the nursery]441-the nursery . All [her]150-lady audley amusements were childish . [She]150-lady audley hated reading , or study of any kind , and loved society . Rather than be alone , [she]150-lady audley would admit [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe into [her]150-lady audley confidence , and loll on one of the sofas in [[her]150-lady audley luxurious dressing - room]5125-her luxurious dressing - room , discussing a new costume for some coming dinner - party ; or sit chattering to [the girl]753-the girl with [her]150-lady audley jewel - box beside [her]150-lady audley , upon the satin cushions , and [Sir Michael]146-sir michael 's presents spread out in [her]150-lady audley lap , while [she]150-lady audley counted and admired [her]150-lady audley treasures . [She]150-lady audley had appeared at several public balls at [Chelmsford]38-chelmsford and [Colchester]39-colchester , and was immediately established as [the belle of [the county]379-the county]5127-the belle of the county . Pleased with [her]150-lady audley high position and [[her]150-lady audley handsome house]5129-her handsome house ; with every caprice gratified , every whim indulged ; admired and caressed wherever [she]150-lady audley went ; fond of [[her]150-lady audley generous husband]5130-her generous husband ; rich in a noble allowance of pin - money ; with no poor relations to worry [her]150-lady audley with claims upon [her]150-lady audley purse or patronage ; it would have been hard to find in [the County of]435-the county of [Essex]2-essex [a more fortunate creature]5132-a more fortunate creature than [Lucy]152-miss graham , [Lady Audley]150-lady audley . [The two young men]4962-the two young men loitered over the dinner - table in [the private sitting - room at [the Sun Inn]5106-the sun inn]5134-the private sitting - room at the sun inn . The windows were thrown wide open , and the fresh country air blew in upon [them]4962-the two young men as [they]4962-the two young men dined . The weather was lovely ; the foliage of [the woods]5136-the woods touched here and there with faint gleams of the earliest tints of autumn ; the yellow corn still standing in some of [the fields]4773-the fields , in others just falling under the shining sickle ; while in [the narrow lanes]5138-the narrow lanes [you]5139-you met [great wagons drawn by broad - chested cart - horses]5140-great wagons drawn by broad - chested cart - horses , carrying [home the rich golden store]5141-home the rich golden store . To [any one who has been , during the hot summer months , pent up in [London]3-london]5142-any one who has been , during the hot summer months , pent up in london , there is in the first taste of rustic life a kind of sensuous rapture scarcely to be described . [George Talboys]157-george felt this , and in this [he]157-george experienced the nearest approach to enjoyment that [he]157-george had ever known since [[his]157-george wife]554-his wife 's death . The clock struck five as [they]1013-they finished dinner . "[0-i] Put on [your]1010-your hat , [George]157-george , " said [Robert Audley]173-robert ; "[157-george] [they]1011-they do n't dine at [the Court]373-the court till seven ; [we]1013-they shall have time to stroll down and see [the old place]413-the old place and [[its]413-the old place inhabitants]1015-its inhabitants . " [The landlord]5144-the landlord , who had come into [the room]595-the room with a bottle of wine , looked up as [the young man]667-the young man spoke . "[0-i] [I]0-i beg [your]1010-your pardon , [Mr. Audley]173-robert , " [he]0-i said , "[0-i] but if [you]1010-your want to see [[your]1010-your uncle]1016-your uncle , [you]1010-your 'll lose [your]1010-your time by going to [the Court]373-the court just now . [Sir Michael]146-sir michael and [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady and [Miss Alicia]149-alicia have all gone to the races up at [Chorley]40-chorley , and [they]1019-they wo n't be back till nigh upon eight o'clock , most likely . [They]1019-they must pass by here to go [home]479-home . " Under these circumstances of course it was no use going to [the Court]373-the court , so [the two young men]4962-the two young men strolled through [the village]5107-the village and looked at [the old church]5150-the old church , and then went and reconnoitered [the streams]5151-the streams in which [they]4962-the two young men were to fish the next day , and by such means beguiled the time until after seven o'clock . At about a quarter past that hour [they]4962-the two young men returned to [the inn]5152-the inn , and seating [themselves]4962-the two young men in the open window , lit [their]4962-the two young men cigars and looked out at the peaceful prospect . [We]5153-we hear every day of murders committed in [the country]474-the country . Brutal and treacherous murders ; slow , protracted agonies from poisons administered by [some kindred hand]5155-some kindred hand ; sudden and violent deaths by cruel blows , inflicted with a stake cut from some spreading oak , whose every shadow promised — peace . In [the county of]435-the county of which [I]991-my uncle write , [I]991-my uncle have been shown [a meadow]5157-a meadow in which , on a quiet summer Sunday evening , [a young farmer]5158-a young farmer murdered [the girl who had loved and trusted [him]5158-a young farmer]5159-the girl who had loved and trusted him ; and yet , even now , with the stain of that foul deed upon it , the aspect of [the spot]5160-the spot is — peace . No species of crime has ever been committed in [the worst rookeries about [Seven Dials]41-seven dials]5161-the worst rookeries about seven dials that has not been also done in the face of that rustic calm which still , in spite of all , [we]5153-we look on with a tender , half - mournful yearning , and associate with — peace . It was dusk when gigs and chaises , [dog - carts]5162-dog - carts and [clumsy farmers]5163-clumsy farmers ' phaetons , began to rattle through [the village street]5164-the village street , and under the windows of [the Sun Inn]5106-the sun inn ; deeper dusk still when [an open carriage and four]5166-an open carriage and four drew suddenly up beneath the rocking sign - post . It was [Sir Michael Audley]146-sir michael 's barouche which came to so sudden a stop before [the little inn]5167-the little inn . The harness of [one of [the leaders]5169-the leaders]5168-one of the leaders had become out of order , and [the foremost postillion]5170-the foremost postillion dismounted to set it right . "[991-my uncle] Why , it 's [[my]0-i uncle]991-my uncle , " cried [Robert Audley]173-robert , as [the carriage]5171-the carriage stopped . "[0-i] [I]0-i 'll run down and speak to [him]991-my uncle . " [George]157-george lit another cigar , and , sheltered by the window - curtains , looked out at [the little party]5172-the little party . [Alicia]149-alicia sat with [her]149-alicia back to the horses , and [he]173-robert could perceive , even in the dusk , that [she]149-alicia was [a handsome brunette]5173-a handsome brunette ; but [Lady Audley]150-lady audley was seated on the side of [the carriage]5171-the carriage furthest from [the inn]5152-the inn , and [he]173-robert could see nothing of [the fair - haired paragon of whom [he]173-robert had heard so much]5176-the fair - haired paragon of whom he had heard so much . "[0-i] Why , [Robert]173-robert , " exclaimed [Sir Michael]146-sir michael , as [[his]146-sir michael nephew]5177-his nephew emerged from [the inn]5152-the inn , "[173-robert] this is a surprise ! " "[0-i] [I]0-i have not come to intrude upon [you]173-robert at [the Court]373-the court , [[my]0-i dear uncle]1023-my dear uncle , " said [the young man]667-the young man , as [the baronet]465-the baronet shook [him]173-robert by the hand in [his]0-i own hearty fashion . "[0-i] [Essex]2-essex is [[my]0-i native county]1024-my native county , [you]173-robert know , and about this time of year [I]0-i generally have a touch of homesickness ; so [George]157-george and [I]0-i have come down to [the inn]5152-the inn for two or three day 's fishing . " "[157-george] [George]157-george — [George]157-george who ? " "[157-george] [George Talboys]157-george . " "[157-george] What , has [he]157-george come ? " cried [Alicia]149-alicia . "[0-i] [I]0-i 'm so glad ; for [I]0-i 'm dying to see [this handsome young widower]1026-this handsome young widower . " "[1026-this handsome young widower] Are [you]173-robert , [Alicia]149-alicia ? " said [[her]149-alicia cousin]790-her cousin , "[149-alicia] Then egad , [I]0-i 'll run and fetch [him]1026-this handsome young widower , and introduce [you]173-robert to [him]1026-this handsome young widower at once . " Now , so complete was the dominion which [Lady Audley]150-lady audley had , in [her]150-lady audley own childish , unthinking way , obtained over [[her]150-lady audley devoted husband]5182-her devoted husband , that it was very rarely that [the baronet]465-the baronet 's eyes were long removed from [[his]465-the baronet wife]554-his wife 's pretty face . When [Robert]173-robert , therefore , was about to re - enter [the inn]5152-the inn , it needed but the faintest elevation of [Lucy]152-miss graham 's eyebrows , with a charming expression of weariness and terror , to make [[her]150-lady audley husband]469-her husband aware that [she]150-lady audley did not want to be bored by an introduction to [Mr. George Talboys]157-george . "[149-alicia] Never mind to - night , [Bob]174-bob , " [he]0-i said . "[174-bob] [[My]0-i wife]711-my wife is a little tired after [our]1028-our long day 's pleasure . Bring [[your]174-bob friend]5065-your friend to dinner to - morrow , and then [he]5065-your friend and [Alicia]149-alicia can make [each other]4890-each other 's acquaintance . Come round and speak to [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , and then [we]1028-our 'll drive [home]479-home . " [[My]174-bob lady]468-my lady was so terribly fatigued that [she]468-my lady could only smile sweetly , and hold out a tiny gloved hand to [[her]468-my lady nephew]5188-her nephew by marriage . "[174-bob] [You]174-bob will come and dine with [us]1028-our to - morrow , and bring [[your]174-bob interesting friend]1032-your interesting friend ? " [she]468-my lady said , in a low and tired voice . [She]468-my lady had been [the chief attraction of the race - course]5189-the chief attraction of the race - course , and was wearied out by the exertion of fascinating half [the county]379-the county . "[174-bob] It 's a wonder [she]150-lady audley did n't treat [you]174-bob to [her]150-lady audley never - ending laugh , " whispered [Alicia]149-alicia , as [she]149-alicia leaned over the carriage - door to bid [Robert]173-robert good - night ; "[150-lady audley] but [I]0-i dare say [she]150-lady audley reserves that for [your]174-bob delectation to - morrow . [I]0-i suppose [you]174-bob are fascinated as well as [everybody else]1033-everybody else ? " added [the young lady]5100-the young lady , rather snappishly . "[0-i] [She]150-lady audley is [a lovely creature]1034-a lovely creature , certainly , " murmured [Robert]173-robert , with placid admiration . "[150-lady audley] Oh , of course ! Now , [she]150-lady audley is the first woman of whom [I]0-i ever heard [you]174-bob say a civil word , [Robert Audley]173-robert . [I]0-i 'm sorry to find [you]174-bob can only admire [wax dolls]1035-wax dolls . " [Poor Alicia]190-alicia had had many skirmishes with [[her]190-alicia cousin]790-her cousin upon that particular temperament of [his]173-robert , which , while it enabled [him]173-robert to go through life with perfect content and tacit enjoyment , entirely precluded [his]173-robert feeling one spark of enthusiasm upon any subject whatever . "[1035-wax dolls] As to [his]173-robert ever falling in love , " thought [the young lady]5100-the young lady sometimes , "[1035-wax dolls] the idea is preposterous . If all the divinities on [earth]1036-earth were ranged before [him]173-robert , waiting for [his]173-robert sultanship to throw the handkerchief , [he]173-robert would only lift [his]173-robert eyebrows to the middle of [his]173-robert forehead , and tell [them]1037-them to scramble for it . " But , for once in [his]173-robert life , [Robert]173-robert was almost enthusiastic . "[1038-she] [She]1038-she 's the prettiest little creature [you]174-bob ever saw in [your]174-bob life , [George]157-george , " [he]173-robert cried , when [the carriage]5171-the carriage had driven off and [he]173-robert returned to [[his]173-robert friend]4909-his friend . "[157-george] Such blue eyes , such ringlets , such a ravishing smile , such a fairy - like bonnet — all of a - tremble with heart's - ease and dewy spangles , shining out of a cloud of gauze . [George Talboys]157-george , [I]0-i feel like [the hero of a French novel]1039-the hero of a french novel : [I]0-i am falling in love with [[my]0-i aunt]1040-my aunt . " [The widower]5196-the widower only sighed and puffed [his]173-robert cigar fiercely out of the open window . Perhaps [he]173-robert was thinking of that far - away time — little better than five years ago , in fact ; but such an age gone by to [him]173-robert — when [he]173-robert first met [the woman for whom [he]173-robert had worn crape round [his]173-robert hat three days before]5197-the woman for whom he had worn crape round his hat three days before . [They]5198-they returned , all those old unforgotten feelings ; [they]5198-they came back , with the scene of [their]5198-they birth - place . Again [he]173-robert lounged with [[his]173-robert brother]5199-his brother officers upon [the shabby pier at [the shabby watering - place]5201-the shabby watering - place]5200-the shabby pier at the shabby watering - place , listening to a dreary band with a cornet that was a note and a half flat . Again [he]173-robert heard the old operatic airs , and again [she]5197-the woman for whom he had worn crape round his hat three days before came tripping toward [him]173-robert , leaning on [[her]5197-the woman for whom he had worn crape round his hat three days before old father]5202-her old father 's arm , and pretending ( with such a charming , delicious , serio - comic pretense ) to be listening to the music , and quite unaware of the admiration of [half a dozen open - mouthed cavalry officers]5203-half a dozen open - mouthed cavalry officers . Again [the old fancy]5204-the old fancy came back that [she]5197-the woman for whom he had worn crape round his hat three days before was something too beautiful for earth , or earthly uses , and that to approach [her]5197-the woman for whom he had worn crape round his hat three days before was to walk in a higher atmosphere and to breathe a purer air . And since this [she]5197-the woman for whom he had worn crape round his hat three days before had been [[his]173-robert wife]554-his wife , and [the mother of [[his]173-robert child]5089-his child]5206-the mother of his child . [She]5197-the woman for whom he had worn crape round his hat three days before lay in [the little churchyard at [Ventnor]26-ventnor]5208-the little churchyard at ventnor , and only a year ago [he]173-robert had given the order for [her]5197-the woman for whom he had worn crape round his hat three days before tombstone . A few slow , silent tears dropped upon [his]173-robert waistcoat as [he]173-robert thought of these things in [the quiet and darkening room]5209-the quiet and darkening room . [Lady Audley]150-lady audley was so exhausted when [she]150-lady audley reached [home]479-home , that [she]150-lady audley excused [herself]150-lady audley from the dinner - table , and retired at once to [[her]150-lady audley dressing - room]5211-her dressing - room , attended by [[her]150-lady audley maid]761-her maid , [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe . [She]150-lady audley was a little capricious in [her]150-lady audley conduct to [this maid]5213-this maid — sometimes very confidential , sometimes rather reserved ; but [she]150-lady audley was [a liberal mistress]5214-a liberal mistress , and [the girl]753-the girl had every reason to be satisfied with [her]753-the girl situation . This evening , in spite of [her]150-lady audley fatigue , [she]150-lady audley was in extremely high spirits , and gave an animated account of the races , and [the company present at [them]5217-them]5216-the company present at them . "[0-i] [I]0-i am tired to death , though , [Phoebe]166-phoebe , " [she]150-lady audley said , by - and - by . "[166-phoebe] [I]0-i am afraid [I]0-i must look a perfect fright , after a day in the hot sun . " There were lighted candles on each side of the glass before which [Lady Audley]150-lady audley was standing unfastening [her]150-lady audley dress . [She]150-lady audley looked full at [[her]150-lady audley maid]761-her maid as [she]150-lady audley spoke , [her]150-lady audley blue eyes clear and bright , and the rosy childish lips puckered into an arch smile . "[166-phoebe] [You]166-phoebe are a little pale , [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , " answered [the girl]753-the girl , "[166-phoebe] but [you]166-phoebe look as pretty as ever . " "[166-phoebe] That 's right , [Phoebe]166-phoebe , " [she]150-lady audley said , flinging [herself]150-lady audley into a chair , and throwing back [her]150-lady audley curls at [the maid , who stood , brush in hand , ready to arrange the luxuriant hair for the night]5220-the maid , who stood , brush in hand , ready to arrange the luxuriant hair for the night . "[166-phoebe] Do [you]166-phoebe know , [Phoebe]166-phoebe , [I]0-i have heard [some people]4635-some people say that [you]166-phoebe and [I]0-i are alike ? " "[4635-some people] [I]0-i have heard [them]4635-some people say so , too , [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , " said [the girl]753-the girl , quietly "[4635-some people] but [they]4635-some people must be very stupid to say it , for [[your]166-phoebe ladyship]1044-your ladyship is [a beauty]1045-a beauty , and [I]0-i am [a poor , plain creature]1046-a poor , plain creature . " "[1046-a poor , plain creature] Not at all , [Phoebe]166-phoebe , " said [the little lady]5222-the little lady , superbly ; "[1046-a poor , plain creature] [you]166-phoebe are like [me]0-i , and [your]166-phoebe features are very nice ; it is only color that [you]166-phoebe want . [My]0-i hair is pale yellow shot with gold , and yours is drab ; [my]0-i eyebrows and eyelashes are dark brown , and yours are almost — [I]0-i scarcely like to say it , but they 're almost white , [my]0-i dear [Phoebe]166-phoebe . [Your]166-phoebe complexion is sallow , and [mine]0-i is pink and rosy . Why , with a bottle of hair - dye , such as [we]1047-we see advertised in the papers , and a pot of rouge , [you]166-phoebe 'd be as good - looking as [I]0-i , any day , [Phoebe]166-phoebe . " [She]5222-the little lady prattled on in this way for a long time , talking of a hundred different subjects , and ridiculing [the people [she]5222-the little lady had met at the races]5223-the people she had met at the races , for [[her]5222-the little lady maid]761-her maid 's amusement . [[Her]5222-the little lady step - daughter]5225-her step - daughter came into [the dressing - room]5226-the dressing - room to bid [her]5225-her step - daughter good - night , and found [the maid]5227-the maid and [mistress]5228-mistress laughing aloud over one of the day 's adventures . [Alicia]190-alicia , who was never familiar with [[her]190-alicia servants]5229-her servants , withdrew in disgust at [[my]166-phoebe lady]468-my lady 's frivolity . "[166-phoebe] Go on brushing [my]0-i hair , [Phoebe]166-phoebe , " [Lady Audley]150-lady audley said , every time [the girl]753-the girl was about to complete [her]753-the girl task , "[166-phoebe] [I]0-i quite enjoy a chat with [you]166-phoebe . " At last , just as [she]150-lady audley had dismissed [[her]150-lady audley maid]761-her maid , [she]150-lady audley suddenly called [her]166-phoebe back . "[166-phoebe] [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe , " [she]150-lady audley said , "[166-phoebe] [I]0-i want [you]166-phoebe to do [me]0-i a favor . " "[166-phoebe] Yes , [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady . " "[166-phoebe] [I]0-i want [you]166-phoebe to go to [London]3-london by [the first train]873-the first train to - morrow morning to execute a little commission for [me]0-i . [You]166-phoebe may take a day 's holiday afterward , as [I]0-i know [you]166-phoebe have [[friends]1050-friends in [town]864-town]1051-friends in town ; and [I]0-i shall give [you]166-phoebe a five - pound note if [you]166-phoebe do what [I]0-i want , and keep [your]166-phoebe own counsel about it . " "[468-my lady] Yes , [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady . " "[468-my lady] See that that door is securely shut , and come and sit on this stool at [my]0-i feet . " [The girl]753-the girl obeyed . [Lady Audley]150-lady audley smoothed [[her]150-lady audley maid]761-her maid 's neutral - tinted hair with [her]150-lady audley plump , white , and bejeweled hand as [she]150-lady audley reflected for a few moments . "[468-my lady] And now listen , [Phoebe]166-phoebe . What [I]0-i want [you]166-phoebe to do is very simple . " It was so simple that it was told in five minutes , and then [Lady Audley]150-lady audley retired into [[her]150-lady audley bed - room]5235-her bed - room , and curled [herself]150-lady audley up cozily under the eider - down quilt . [She]150-lady audley was [a chilly creature]5236-a chilly creature , and loved to bury [herself]150-lady audley in soft wrappings of satin and fur . "[0-i] Kiss [me]0-i , [Phoebe]166-phoebe , " [she]150-lady audley said , as [the girl]753-the girl arranged the curtains . "[166-phoebe] [I]0-i hear [Sir Michael]146-sir michael 's step in the anteroom ; [you]166-phoebe will meet [him]146-sir michael as [you]166-phoebe go out , and [you]166-phoebe may as well tell [him]146-sir michael that [you]166-phoebe are going up by [the first train]873-the first train to - morrow morning to get [my]0-i dress from [Madam Frederick]191-madam frederick for the dinner at [Morton Abbey]42-morton abbey . " It was late the next morning when [Lady Audley]150-lady audley went down to breakfast — past ten o'clock . While [she]150-lady audley was sipping [her]150-lady audley coffee [a servant]5238-a servant brought [her]150-lady audley a sealed packet , and a book for [her]150-lady audley to sign . "[191-madam frederick] A telegraphic message ! " [she]150-lady audley cried ; for the convenient word telegram had not yet been invented . "[191-madam frederick] What can be the matter ? " [She]150-lady audley looked up at [[her]150-lady audley husband]469-her husband with wide - open , terrified eyes , and seemed half afraid to break the seal . The envelope was addressed to [Miss Lucy Graham]152-miss graham , at [Mr. Dawson]151-mr. dawson 's , and had been sent on from [the village]5107-the village . "[191-madam frederick] Read it , [[my]0-i darling]4709-my darling , " [he]0-i said , "[191-madam frederick] and do not be alarmed ; it may be nothing of any importance . " It came from [a Mrs. Vincent]192-mrs. vincent , [the schoolmistress with whom [she]150-lady audley had lived before entering [[Mr. Dawson]151-mr. dawson 's family]760-mr. dawson 's family]5241-the schoolmistress with whom she had lived before entering mr. dawson 's family . [The lady]673-the lady was dangerously ill , and implored [[her]673-the lady old pupil]5244-her old pupil to go and see [her]673-the lady . "[1056-poor soul] [Poor soul]1056-poor soul ! [she]1056-poor soul always meant to leave [me]0-i [her]1056-poor soul money , " said [Lucy]152-miss graham , with a mournful smile . "[1056-poor soul] [She]1056-poor soul has never heard of the change in [my]0-i fortunes . [Dear Sir Michael]146-sir michael , [I]0-i must go to [her]1056-poor soul . " "[146-sir michael] To be sure [you]146-sir michael must , dearest . If [she]1056-poor soul was kind to [[my]0-i poor girl]718-my poor girl in [her]1056-poor soul adversity , [she]1056-poor soul has a claim upon [her]1056-poor soul prosperity that shall never be forgotten . Put on [your]146-sir michael bonnet , [Lucy]152-miss graham ; [we]1058-we shall be in time to catch the express . " "[0-i] [You]0-i will go with [me]0-i ? " "[0-i] Of course , [[my]0-i darling]4709-my darling . Do [you]0-i suppose [I]0-i would let [you]0-i go alone ? " "[0-i] [I]0-i was sure [you]146-sir michael would go with [me]0-i , " [she]152-miss graham said , thoughtfully . "[0-i] Does [[your]146-sir michael friend]5065-your friend send any address ? " "[5065-your friend] No ; but [she]5065-your friend always lived at [Crescent Villa]43-crescent villa , [West Brompton]44-west brompton ; and no doubt [she]5065-your friend lives [there]374-there still . " There was only time for [Lady Audley]150-lady audley to hurry on [her]150-lady audley bonnet and shawl before [she]150-lady audley heard [the carriage]5171-the carriage drive round to the door , and [Sir Michael]146-sir michael calling to [her]150-lady audley at the foot of the staircase . [[Her]150-lady audley suite of rooms]5246-her suite of rooms , as [I]5065-your friend have said , opened one out of another , and terminated in an octagon antechamber hung with oil - paintings . Even in [her]150-lady audley haste [she]150-lady audley paused deliberately at the door of [this room]5247-this room , double - locked it , and dropped the key into [her]150-lady audley pocket . This door once locked cut off all access to [[[my]5065-your friend lady]468-my lady 's apartments]4831-my lady 's apartments . So the dinner at [Audley Court]1-audley court was postponed , and [Miss Alicia]149-alicia had to wait still longer for an introduction to [the handsome young widower]5250-the handsome young widower , [Mr. George Talboys]157-george . [I]5065-your friend am afraid , if the real truth is to be told , there was , perhaps , something of affectation in the anxiety [this young lady]5251-this young lady expressed to make [George]157-george 's acquaintance ; but if [poor Alicia]149-alicia for a moment calculated upon arousing any latent spark of jealousy lurking in [[her]149-alicia cousin]790-her cousin 's breast by this exhibition of interest , [she]149-alicia was not so well acquainted with [Robert Audley]173-robert 's disposition as [she]149-alicia might have been . Indolent , handsome , and indifferent , [the young barrister]5094-the young barrister took life as altogether too absurd a mistake for any one event in its foolish course to be for a moment considered seriously by [a sensible man]5254-a sensible man . [[His]173-robert pretty , gipsy - faced cousin]5255-his pretty , gipsy - faced cousin might have been over head and ears in love with [him]173-robert ; and [she]5255-his pretty , gipsy - faced cousin might have told [him]173-robert so , in some charming , roundabout , womanly fashion , a hundred times a day for all the three hundred and sixty - five days in the year ; but unless [she]5255-his pretty , gipsy - faced cousin had waited for some privileged 29th of February , and walked straight up to [him]173-robert , saying , "[5065-your friend] [Robert]173-robert , please will [you]173-robert marry [me]0-i ? " [I]173-robert very much doubt if [he]173-robert would ever have discovered the state of [her]5255-his pretty , gipsy - faced cousin feelings . Again , had [he]173-robert been in love with [her]5255-his pretty , gipsy - faced cousin [himself]173-robert , [I]173-robert fancy that the tender passion would , with [him]173-robert , have been so vague and feeble a sentiment that [he]173-robert might have gone down to [his]173-robert grave with a dim sense of some uneasy sensation which might be love or indigestion , and with , beyond this , no knowledge whatever of [his]173-robert state . So it was not the least use , [[my]173-robert poor [Alicia]149-alicia]5256-my poor alicia , to ride about [the lanes around [Audley]150-lady audley]5257-the lanes around audley during those three days which [the two young men]4962-the two young men spent in [Essex]2-essex ; it was wasted trouble to wear that pretty cavalier hat and plume , and to be always , by the most singular of chances , meeting [Robert]173-robert and [[his]173-robert friend]4909-his friend . The black curls ( nothing like [Lady Audley]150-lady audley 's feathery ringlets , but heavy clustering locks , that clung about [your]5260-your slender brown throat ) , the red and pouting lips , the nose inclined to be retrousse , the dark complexion , with its bright crimson flush , always ready to glance up like a signal light in a dusky sky , when [you]5260-your came suddenly upon [[your]5260-your apathetic cousin]5261-your apathetic cousin — all this coquettish espiegle , brunette beauty was thrown away upon the dull eyes of [Robert Audley]173-robert , and [you]5260-your might as well have taken [your]5260-your rest in [the cool drawing - room at [the Court]373-the court]5262-the cool drawing - room at the court , instead of working [your]5260-your pretty mare to death under the hot September sun . Now fishing , except to [the devoted disciple of [Izaak Walton]193-izaak walton]5264-the devoted disciple of izaak walton , is not the most lively of occupations ; therefore , it is scarcely , perhaps , to be wondered that on the day after [Lady Audley]150-lady audley 's departure , [the two young men]4962-the two young men ( one of whom was disabled by that heart wound which [he]173-robert bore so quietly , from really taking pleasure in anything , and [the other of whom looked upon almost all pleasure as a negative kind of trouble]5266-the other of whom looked upon almost all pleasure as a negative kind of trouble ) began to grow weary of the shade of the willows overhanging [the winding streams about [Audley]150-lady audley]5267-the winding streams about audley . "[173-robert] [Figtree Court]14-figtree court is not gay in the long vacation , " said [Robert]173-robert , reflectively : "[0-i] but [I]0-i think , upon the whole , it 's better than this ; at any rate , it 's near [a tobacconist]1062-a tobacconist 's , " [he]173-robert added , puffing resignedly at an execrable cigar procured from [the landlord of [the Sun Inn]5106-the sun inn]5268-the landlord of the sun inn . [George Talboys]157-george , who had only consented to the [Essex]2-essex expedition in passive submission to [[his]157-george friend]4909-his friend , was by no means inclined to object to [their]5271-their immediate return to [London]3-london . "[0-i] [I]0-i shall be glad to get back , [Bob]174-bob , " [he]0-i said , "[174-bob] for [I]0-i want to take a run down to [Southampton]33-southampton ; [I]0-i have n't seen [the little one]1063-the little one for upward of a month . " [He]0-i always spoke of [[his]0-i son]4957-his son as "[1063-the little one] [the little one]1063-the little one ; " always spoke of [him]4957-his son mournfully rather than hopefully . [He]0-i accounted for this by saying that [he]0-i had a fancy that [the child]5037-the child would never learn to love [him]0-i ; and worse even than this fancy , a dim presentiment that [he]0-i would not live to see [his]0-i little [Georgey]187-georgey reach manhood . "[1063-the little one] [I]0-i 'm not [a romantic man]1065-a romantic man , [Bob]174-bob , " [he]0-i would say sometimes , "[174-bob] and [I]0-i never read a line of poetry in [my]0-i life that was any more to [me]0-i than so many words and so much jingle ; but a feeling has come over [me]0-i , since [[my]0-i wife]711-my wife 's death , that [I]0-i am like [a man standing upon]1067-a man standing upon [a long , low shore]1068-a long , low shore , with hideous cliffs frowning down upon [him]0-i from behind , and the rising tide crawling slowly but surely about [his]0-i feet . It seems to grow nearer and nearer every day , that black , pitiless tide ; not rushing upon [me]0-i with a great noise and a mighty impetus , but crawling , creeping , stealing , gliding toward [me]0-i , ready to close in above [my]0-i head when [I]0-i am least prepared for the end . " [Robert Audley]173-robert stared at [[his]173-robert friend]4909-his friend in silent amazement ; and , after a pause of profound deliberation , said solemnly , "[157-george] [George Talboys]157-george , [I]0-i could understand this if [you]157-george had been eating heavy suppers . Cold pork , now , especially if underdone , might produce this sort of thing . [You]157-george want change of air , [[my]0-i dear boy]899-my dear boy ; [you]157-george want the refreshing breezes of [Figtree Court]14-figtree court , and the soothing air of [Fleet street]24-fleet street . Or , stay , " [he]0-i added , suddenly , "[0-i] [I]0-i have it ! [You]157-george 've been smoking [[our]1070-they friend]1071-our friend [the landlord]5144-the landlord 's cigars ; that accounts for everything . " [They]1070-they met [Alicia Audley]149-alicia on [her]149-alicia mare about half an hour after [they]1070-they had come to the determination of leaving [Essex]2-essex early the next morning . [The young lady]5100-the young lady was very much surprised and disappointed at hearing [[her]5100-the young lady cousin]790-her cousin 's determination , and for that very reason pretended to take the matter with supreme indifference . "[157-george] [You]157-george are very soon tired of [Audley]150-lady audley , [Robert]173-robert , " [she]5100-the young lady said , carelessly ; "[173-robert] but of course [you]157-george have [no friends]1073-no friends [here]4776-here , except [[your]157-george relations at [the Court]373-the court]1075-your relations at the court ; while in [London]3-london , no doubt , [you]157-george have the most delightful society and — " "[0-i] [I]0-i get good tobacco , " murmured [Robert]173-robert , interrupting [[his]173-robert cousin]786-his cousin . "[0-i] [Audley]150-lady audley is [the dearest old place]1077-the dearest old place , but when [a man]445-a man has to smoke dried cabbage leaves , [you]157-george know , [Alicia]149-alicia — " "[149-alicia] Then [you]157-george are really going to - morrow morning ? " "[157-george] Positively — by [the express train that leaves]1079-the express train that leaves at 10.50 . " "[149-alicia] Then [Lady Audley]150-lady audley will lose an introduction to [Mr. Talboys]157-george , and [Mr. Talboys]157-george will lose the chance of seeing [the prettiest woman in [Essex]2-essex]1080-the prettiest woman in essex . " "[1080-the prettiest woman in essex] Really — " stammered [George]157-george . "[1080-the prettiest woman in essex] [The prettiest woman in [Essex]2-essex]1080-the prettiest woman in essex would have a poor chance of getting much admiration out of [[my]0-i friend]836-my friend , [George Talboys]157-george , " said [Robert]173-robert . "[157-george] [His]836-my friend heart is at [Southampton]33-southampton , where [he]836-my friend has a curly - headed little urchin , about as high as [his]836-my friend knee , who calls [him]836-my friend ' [the big gentleman]1083-the big gentleman , ' and asks [him]836-my friend for sugar - plums . " "[0-i] [I]0-i am going to write to [[my]0-i step - mother]1084-my step - mother by to - night 's post , " said [Alicia]149-alicia . "[1084-my step - mother] [She]1084-my step - mother asked [me]0-i particularly in [her]1084-my step - mother letter how long [you]0-i were going to stop , and whether there was any chance of [her]1084-my step - mother being back in time to receive [you]0-i . " [Miss Audley]149-alicia took a letter from the pocket of [her]1084-my step - mother riding - jacket as [she]1084-my step - mother spoke — a pretty , fairy - like note , written on shining paper of a peculiar creamy hue . "[1084-my step - mother] [She]1084-my step - mother says in [her]1084-my step - mother postcript , ' Be sure [you]0-i answer [my]0-i question about [Mr. Audley]173-robert and [[his]173-robert friend]4909-his friend , [you]0-i volatile , forgetful [Alicia]149-alicia ! ' " "[149-alicia] What a pretty hand [she]1084-my step - mother writes ! " said [Robert]173-robert , as [[his]173-robert cousin]786-his cousin folded the note . "[149-alicia] Yes , it is pretty , is it not ? Look at it , [Robert]173-robert . " [She]1084-my step - mother put the letter into [his]173-robert hand , and [he]173-robert contemplated it lazily for a few minutes , while [Alicia]149-alicia patted the graceful neck of [her]149-alicia chestnut mare , which was anxious to be off once more . "[173-robert] Presently , [Atalanta]45-atalanta , presently . Give [me]0-i back [my]0-i note , [Bob]174-bob . " "[174-bob] It is the prettiest , most coquettish little hand [I]0-i ever saw . Do [you]149-alicia know , [Alicia]149-alicia , [I]0-i have no great belief in [those fellows who ask [you]149-alicia for thirteen postage stamps , and offer to tell [you]149-alicia what [you]149-alicia have never been able to find out [yourself]149-alicia]1086-those fellows who ask you for thirteen postage stamps , and offer to tell you what you have never been able to find out yourself ; but upon [my]0-i word [I]0-i think that if [I]0-i had never seen [[your]149-alicia aunt]1087-your aunt , [I]0-i should know what [she]1087-your aunt was like by this slip of paper . Yes , here it all is — the feathery , gold - shot , flaxen curls , the penciled eyebrows , the tiny , straight nose , the winning , childish smile ; all to be guessed in these few graceful up - strokes and down - strokes . [George]157-george , look here ! " But absent - minded and gloomy [George Talboys]157-george had strolled away along the margin of [the ditch]5279-the ditch , and stood striking the bulrushes with [his]157-george cane , half a dozen paces away from [Robert]173-robert and [Alicia]149-alicia . "[157-george] Nevermind , " said [the young lady]5100-the young lady , impatiently ; for [she]5100-the young lady by no means relished this long disquisition upon [[my]157-george lady]468-my lady 's note . "[157-george] Give [me]0-i the letter , and let [me]0-i go ; it 's past eight , and [I]0-i must answer it by to - night 's post . Come , [Atalanta]45-atalanta ! Good - by , [Robert]173-robert — good - by , [Mr. Talboys]157-george . A pleasant journey to [town]864-town . " The chestnut mare cantered briskly through [the lane]5282-the lane , and [Miss Audley]149-alicia was out of sight before those two big , bright tears that stood in [her]149-alicia eyes for one moment , before [her]149-alicia pride sent them , back again , rose from [her]149-alicia angry heart . "[157-george] To have only [one cousin in [the world]519-the world]1089-one cousin in the world , " [she]149-alicia cried , passionately , "[173-robert] [[my]0-i nearest relation]1091-my nearest relation after [papa]1002-papa , and for [him]1002-papa to care about as much for [me]0-i as [he]1002-papa would for a dog ! " By the merest of accidents , however , [Robert]173-robert and [[his]173-robert friend]4909-his friend did not go by the 10.50 express on the following morning , for [the young barrister]5094-the young barrister awoke with such a splitting headache , that [he]5094-the young barrister asked [George]157-george to send [him]5094-the young barrister a cup of the strongest green tea that had ever been made at the Sun , and to be furthermore so good as to defer [their]5285-their journey until the next day . Of course [George]157-george assented , and [Robert Audley]173-robert spent the forenoon in [a darkened room]5286-a darkened room with a five - days'-old [Chelmsford]38-chelmsford paper to entertain [himself]173-robert withal . "[1002-papa] It 's nothing but the cigars , [George]157-george , " [he]173-robert said , repeatedly . "[157-george] Get [me]0-i out of [the place]385-the place without [my]0-i seeing [the landlord]5144-the landlord ; for if [that man]1095-that man and [I]0-i meet there will be bloodshed . " Fortunately for the peace of [Audley]150-lady audley , it happened to be market - day at [Chelmsford]38-chelmsford ; and [the worthy landlord]5287-the worthy landlord had ridden off in [his]5287-the worthy landlord chaise - cart to purchase supplies for [[his]5287-the worthy landlord house]447-his house — among other things , perhaps , a fresh stock of those very cigars which had been so fatal in [their]5289-their effect upon [Robert]173-robert . [The young men]4930-the young men spent a dull , dawdling , stupid , unprofitable day ; and toward dusk [Mr. Audley]173-robert proposed that [they]4930-the young men should stroll down to [the Court]373-the court , and ask [Alicia]149-alicia to take [them]4930-the young men over [the house]388-the house . "[157-george] It will kill a couple of hours , [you]1096-you know , [George]157-george : and it seems a great pity to drag [you]1096-you away from [Audley]150-lady audley without having shown [you]1096-you [the old place]413-the old place , which , [I]0-i give [you]1096-you [my]0-i honor , is very well worth seeing . " The sun was low in the skies as [they]4930-the young men took a short cut through [the meadows]776-the meadows , and crossed a stile into [the avenue]754-the avenue leading to the archway — a lurid , heavy - looking , ominous sunset , and a deathly stillness in the air , which frightened the birds that had a mind to sing , and left [the field]5295-the field open to a few captious frogs croaking in the ditches . Still as the atmosphere was , the leaves rustled with that sinister , shivering motion which proceeds from no outer cause , but is rather an instinctive shudder of the frail branches , prescient of a coming storm . That stupid clock , which knew no middle course , and always skipped from one hour to the other , pointed to seven as [the young men]4930-the young men passed under the archway ; but , for all that , it was nearer eight . [They]4930-the young men found [Alicia]149-alicia in [the lime - walk]5297-the lime - walk , wandering listlessly up and down under the black shadow of the trees , from which every now and then a withered leaf flapped slowly to the ground . Strange to say , [George Talboys]157-george , who very seldom observed anything , took particular notice of [this place]5298-this place . "[0-i] It ought to be [an avenue in [a churchyard]1099-a churchyard]1098-an avenue in a churchyard , " [he]157-george said . "[0-i] How peacefully [the dead]1100-the dead might sleep under this somber shade ! [I]0-i wish [the churchyard at [Ventnor]26-ventnor]1101-the churchyard at ventnor was like this . " [They]4930-the young men walked on to [the ruined well]5299-the ruined well ; and [Alicia]149-alicia told [them]4930-the young men some old legend connected with the spot — some gloomy story , such as those always attached to [an old house]5300-an old house , as if the past were one dark page of sorrow and crime . "[0-i] [We]1102-we want to see [the house]388-the house before it is dark , [Alicia]149-alicia , " said [Robert]173-robert . "[149-alicia] Then [we]1102-we must be quick . " [she]149-alicia answered . "[149-alicia] Come . " [She]149-alicia led the way through an open French window , modernized a few years before , into [the library]5301-the library , and thence to [the hall]804-the hall . In [the hall]804-the hall [they]4930-the young men passed [[my]149-alicia lady 's pale - faced maid]5304-my lady 's pale - faced maid , who looked furtively under [her]5304-my lady 's pale - faced maid white eyelashes at [the two young men]4962-the two young men . [They]4930-the young men were going up - [stairs]5306-stairs , when [Alicia]149-alicia turned and spoke to [the girl]753-the girl . "[149-alicia] After [we]1102-we have been in [the drawing - room]467-the drawing - room , [I]0-i should like to show [these gentlemen]1105-these gentlemen [[Lady Audley]150-lady audley 's rooms]1106-lady audley 's rooms . Are [they]1106-lady audley 's rooms in good order , [Phoebe]166-phoebe ? " "[1107-miss] Yes , [miss]1107-miss ; but the door of [the anteroom]1108-the anteroom is locked , and [I]0-i fancy that [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady has taken the key to [London]3-london . " "[468-my lady] Taken the key ! Impossible ! " cried [Alicia]149-alicia . "[468-my lady] Indeed , [miss]1107-miss , [I]0-i think [she]468-my lady has . [I]0-i can not find it , and it always used to be in the door . " "[0-i] [I]0-i declare , " said [Alicia]149-alicia , impatiently , "[0-i] that is not at all unlike [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady to have taken [this silly freak]1112-this silly freak into [her]468-my lady head . [I]0-i dare say [she]468-my lady was afraid [we]1113-we should go into [[her]468-my lady rooms]1114-her rooms , and pry about among [her]468-my lady pretty dresses , and meddle with [her]468-my lady jewelry . It is very provoking , for the best pictures in [the house]388-the house are in that antechamber . There is [her]468-my lady own portrait , too , unfinished but wonderfully like . " "[468-my lady] [Her]468-my lady portrait ! " exclaimed [Robert Audley]173-robert . "[468-my lady] [I]0-i would give anything to see it , for [I]0-i have only an imperfect notion of [her]468-my lady face . Is there no other way of getting into [the room]595-the room , [Alicia]149-alicia ? " "[149-alicia] Another way ? " "[149-alicia] Yes ; is there any door , leading through [some of [the other rooms]1118-the other rooms , by which [we]1113-we can contrive to get into [hers]468-my lady]1117-some of the other rooms , by which we can contrive to get into hers ? " [[His]173-robert cousin]786-his cousin shook [her]786-his cousin head , and conducted [them]1113-we into [a corridor]5309-a corridor where there were some family portraits . [She]786-his cousin showed [them]1113-we [a tapestried chamber]5310-a tapestried chamber , the large figures upon the faded canvas looking threatening in the dusky light . "[1119-that fellow with the battle - ax] [That fellow with the battle - ax]1119-that fellow with the battle - ax looks as if [he]1119-that fellow with the battle - ax wanted to split [George]157-george 's head open , " said [Mr. Audley]173-robert , pointing to a fierce warrior , whose uplifted arm appeared above [George Talboys]157-george ' dark hair . "[157-george] Come out of [this room]5247-this room , [Alicia]149-alicia , " added [the young man]667-the young man , nervously ; "[149-alicia] [I]0-i believe it 's damp , or else haunted . Indeed , [I]0-i believe all ghosts to be the result of damp or dyspepsia . [You]1121-you sleep in a damp bed — [you]1121-you awake suddenly in the dead of the night with a cold shiver , and see [an old lady in the court costume of [George]157-george the First 's time , sitting at the foot of the bed]1122-an old lady in the court costume of george the first 's time , sitting at the foot of the bed . [The old lady]1123-the old lady 's indigestion , and the cold shiver is a damp sheet . " There were lighted candles in [the drawing - room]467-the drawing - room . No new - fangled lamps had ever made their appearance at [Audley Court]1-audley court . [[Sir Michael]146-sir michael 's rooms]5313-sir michael 's rooms were lighted by honest , thick , yellow - looking wax candles , in massive silver candlesticks , and in sconces against the walls . There was very little to see in [the drawing - room]467-the drawing - room ; and [George Talboys]157-george soon grew tired of staring at the handsome modern furniture , and at a few pictures of [some of [the Academicians]5316-the academicians]5315-some of the academicians . "[1123-the old lady] Is n't there [a secret passage]1124-a secret passage , or an old oak chest , or something of that kind , somewhere about [the place]385-the place , [Alicia]149-alicia ? " asked [Robert]173-robert . "[149-alicia] To be sure ! " cried [Miss Audley]149-alicia , with a vehemence that startled [[her]149-alicia cousin]790-her cousin ; "[149-alicia] of course . Why did n't [I]0-i think of it before ? How stupid of [me]0-i , to be sure ! " "[0-i] Why stupid ? " "[0-i] Because , if [you]1126-you do n't mind crawling upon [your]1126-you hands and knees , [you]1126-you can see [[[my]0-i lady]468-my lady 's apartments]4831-my lady 's apartments , for [that passage]1129-that passage communicates with [[her]468-my lady dressing - room]5211-her dressing - room . [She]468-my lady does n't know of it [herself]468-my lady , [I]0-i believe . How astonished [she]468-my lady 'd be if [some black - visored burglar , with a dark - lantern]1131-some black - visored burglar , with a dark - lantern , were to rise through the floor some night as [she]468-my lady sat before [her]468-my lady looking - glass , having [her]468-my lady hair dressed for a party ! " "[468-my lady] Shall [we]1132-we try [the secret passage]1133-the secret passage , [George]157-george ? " asked [Mr. Audley]173-robert . "[157-george] Yes , if [you]157-george wish it . " [Alicia]149-alicia led [them]1132-we into [the room which had once been [[her]468-my lady nursery]5319-her nursery]5318-the room which had once been her nursery . [It]5318-the room which had once been her nursery was now disused , except on very rare occasions when [the house]388-the house was full of [company]5321-company . [Robert Audley]173-robert lifted a corner of the carpet , according to [[his]173-robert cousin]786-his cousin 's directions , and disclosed a rudely - cut trap - door in the oak flooring . "[157-george] Now listen to [me]0-i , " said [Alicia]149-alicia . "[0-i] [You]1134-you must let [yourself]1134-you down by the hands into [the passage]675-the passage , which is about four feet high ; stoop [your]1134-you head , walk straight along it till [you]1134-you come to a sharp turn which will take [you]1134-you to the left , and at the extreme end of it [you]1134-you will find a short ladder below a trap - door like this , which [you]1134-you will have to unbolt ; that door opens into the flooring of [[[my]0-i lady]468-my lady 's dressing - room]1137-my lady 's dressing - room , which is only covered with a square Persian carpet that [you]1134-you can easily manage to raise . [You]1134-you understand [me]0-i ? " "[1134-you] Perfectly . " "[1134-you] Then take the light ; [Mr. Talboys]157-george will follow [you]1134-you . [I]0-i give [you]1134-you twenty minutes for [your]1134-you inspection of the paintings — that is , about a minute apiece — and at the end of that time [I]0-i shall expect to see [you]1134-you return . " [Robert]173-robert obeyed [her]468-my lady implicitly , and [George]157-george submissively following [[his]157-george friend]4909-his friend , found [himself]157-george , in five minutes , standing amidst the elegant disorder of [[Lady Audley]150-lady audley 's dressing - room]5324-lady audley 's dressing - room . [She]150-lady audley had left [the house]388-the house in a hurry on [her]150-lady audley unlooked - for journey to [London]3-london , and the whole of [her]150-lady audley glittering toilette apparatus lay about on the marble dressing - table . The atmosphere of [the room]595-the room was almost oppressive for the rich odors of perfumes in bottles whose gold stoppers had not been replaced . A bunch of hot - house flowers was withering upon a tiny writing - table . Two or three handsome dresses lay in a heap upon the ground , and the open doors of a wardrobe revealed the treasures within . Jewelry , ivory - backed hair - brushes , and exquisite china were scattered here and there about [the apartment]5327-the apartment . [George Talboys]157-george saw [his]157-george bearded face and tall , gaunt figure reflected in the glass , and wondered to see how out of place [he]157-george seemed among all these womanly luxuries . [They]5328-they went from [the dressing - room]5226-the dressing - room to [the boudoir]5330-the boudoir , and through [the boudoir]5330-the boudoir into [the ante - chamber]5332-the ante - chamber , in which there were , as [Alicia]149-alicia had said , about twenty valuable paintings , besides [[my]1134-you lady]468-my lady 's portrait . [[My]1134-you lady]468-my lady 's portrait stood on an easel , covered with a green baize in the center of [the octagonal chamber]819-the octagonal chamber . It had been a fancy of [the artist]5336-the artist to paint [her]468-my lady standing in [this very room]5337-this very room , and to make [his]5336-the artist background a faithful reproduction of the pictured walls . [I]1134-you am afraid [the young man]667-the young man belonged to [the pre - Raphaelite brotherhood]5339-the pre - raphaelite brotherhood , for [he]667-the young man had spent a most unconscionable time upon the accessories of this picture — upon [[my]1134-you lady]468-my lady 's crispy ringlets and the heavy folds of [her]468-my lady crimson velvet dress . [The two young men]4962-the two young men looked at the paintings on the walls first , leaving this unfinished portrait for [a bonne bouche]5342-a bonne bouche . By this time it was dark , the candle carried by [Robert]173-robert only making one nucleus of light as [he]173-robert moved about holding it before the pictures one by one . The broad , bare window looked out upon the pale sky , tinged with the last cold flicker of the twilight . The ivy rustled against the glass with the same ominous shiver as that which agitated every leaf in [the garden]452-the garden , prophetic of the storm that was to come . "[1134-you] There are [[our]1138-us friend]1071-our friend 's eternal white horses , " said [Robert]173-robert , standing beside [a Wouvermans]171-wouvermans . "[194-nicholas poussin] [Nicholas Poussin]194-nicholas poussin — [Salvator — ha — hum]1140-salvator — ha — hum ! Now for the portrait . " [He]173-robert paused with [his]173-robert hand on the baize , and solemnly addressed [[his]173-robert friend]4909-his friend . "[157-george] [George Talboys]157-george , " [he]0-i said , "[157-george] [we]1138-us have between [us]1138-us only one wax candle , a very inadequate light with which to look at a painting . Let [me]0-i , therefore , request that [you]157-george will suffer [us]1138-us to look at it one at a time ; if there is one thing more disagreeable than another , it is to have [a person dodging behind [your]157-george back and peering over [your]157-george shoulder]1141-a person dodging behind your back and peering over your shoulder , when [you]157-george 're trying to see what a picture 's made of . " [George]157-george fell back immediately . [He]157-george took no more interest in [any lady]5345-any lady 's picture than in all the other wearinesses of [this troublesome world]5346-this troublesome world . [He]157-george fell back , and leaning [his]157-george forehead against the window - panes , looked out at the night . When [he]157-george turned round [he]157-george saw that [Robert]173-robert had arranged the easel very conveniently , and that [he]173-robert had seated [himself]173-robert on a chair before it for the purpose of contemplating the painting at [his]173-robert leisure . [He]157-george rose as [George]157-george turned round . "[157-george] Now , then , for [your]157-george turn , [Talboys]157-george , " [he]157-george said . "[157-george] It 's an extraordinary picture . " [He]157-george took [George]157-george 's place at the window , and [George]157-george seated [himself]157-george in the chair before the easel . Yes , [the painter]5347-the painter must have been [a pre - Raphaelite]5348-a pre - raphaelite . [No one but a pre - Raphaelite]5349-no one but a pre - raphaelite would have painted , hair by hair , those feathery masses of ringlets , with every glimmer of gold , and every shadow of pale brown . [No one but a pre - Raphaelite]5349-no one but a pre - raphaelite would have so exaggerated every attribute of that delicate face as to give a lurid brightness to the blonde complexion , and a strange , sinister light to the deep blue eyes . [No one but a pre - Raphaelite]5349-no one but a pre - raphaelite could have given to that pretty pouting mouth the hard and almost wicked look [it]5352-it had in the portrait . It was so like , and yet so unlike . It was as if [you]5353-you had burned strange - colored fires before [[my]157-george lady]468-my lady 's face , and by [their]5355-their influence brought out new lines and new expressions never seen in it before . The perfection of feature , the brilliancy of coloring , were there ; but [I]157-george suppose [the painter]5347-the painter had copied quaint mediaeval monstrosities until [his]5347-the painter brain had grown bewildered , for [[my]157-george lady]468-my lady , in [his]5347-the painter portrait of [her]468-my lady , had something of the aspect of [a beautiful fiend]5358-a beautiful fiend . [Her]468-my lady crimson dress , exaggerated like all the rest in this strange picture , hung about [her]468-my lady in folds that looked like flames , [her]468-my lady fair head peeping out of the lurid mass of color as if out of a raging furnace . Indeed the crimson dress , the sunshine on the face , the red gold gleaming in the yellow hair , the ripe scarlet of the pouting lips , the glowing colors of each accessory of the minutely painted background , all combined to render the first effect of the painting by no means an agreeable one . But strange as the picture was , it could not have made any great impression on [George Talboys]157-george , for [he]157-george sat before [it]5359-it for about a quarter of an hour without uttering a word — only staring blankly at the painted canvas , with the candlestick grasped in [his]157-george strong right hand , and [his]157-george left arm hanging loosely by [his]157-george side . [He]157-george sat so long in this attitude , that [Robert]173-robert turned round at last . "[157-george] Why , [George]157-george , [I]0-i thought [you]157-george had gone to sleep ! " "[0-i] [I]0-i had almost . " "[0-i] [You]157-george 've caught a cold from standing in [that damp tapestried room]1142-that damp tapestried room . Mark [my]0-i words , [George Talboys]157-george , [you]157-george 've caught a cold ; [you]157-george 're as hoarse as a raven . But come along . " [Robert Audley]173-robert took the candle from [[his]173-robert friend]4909-his friend 's hand , and crept back through [the secret passage]1133-the secret passage , followed by [George]157-george — very quiet , but scarcely more quiet than usual . [They]1143-we found [Alicia]149-alicia in [the nursery]441-the nursery waiting for [them]1143-we . "[157-george] Well ? " [she]149-alicia said , interrogatively . "[1143-we] [We]1143-we managed it capitally . But [I]0-i do n't like the portrait ; there 's something odd about it . " "[0-i] There is , " said [Alicia]149-alicia ; "[0-i] [I]0-i 've a strange fancy on that point . [I]0-i think that sometimes [a painter]1144-a painter is in a manner inspired , and is able to see , through the normal expression of the face , another expression that is equally a part of it , though not to be perceived by common eyes . [We]1143-we have never seen [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady look as [she]468-my lady does in that picture ; but [I]0-i think that [she]468-my lady could look so . " "[149-alicia] [Alicia]149-alicia , " said [Robert Audley]173-robert , imploringly , "[149-alicia] do n't be [German]195-german ! " "[173-robert] But , [Robert]173-robert — " "[173-robert] Do n't be [German]195-german , [Alicia]149-alicia , if [you]149-alicia love [me]0-i . The picture is — the picture : and [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady is — [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady . That 's [my]0-i way of taking things , and [I]0-i 'm not metaphysical ; do n't unsettle [me]0-i . " [He]0-i repeated this several times with an air of terror that was perfectly sincere ; and then , having borrowed an umbrella in case of being overtaken by the coming storm , left [the Court]373-the court , leading [passive George Talboys]157-george away with [him]0-i . The one hand of the stupid clock had skipped to nine by the time [they]5364-they reached the archway ; but before [they]5364-they could pass under its shadow [they]5364-they had to step aside to allow [a carriage]5365-a carriage to dash past [them]5364-they . It was a fly from [the village]5107-the village , but [Lady Audley]150-lady audley 's fair face peeped out at the window . Dark as it was , [she]150-lady audley could see the two figures of [the young men]4930-the young men black against the dusk . "[1148-the gardener] Who is that ? " [she]150-lady audley asked , putting out [her]150-lady audley head . "[1148-the gardener] Is it [the gardener]1148-the gardener ? " "[1148-the gardener] No , [[my]0-i dear aunt]1149-my dear aunt , " said [Robert]173-robert , laughing ; "[1148-the gardener] it is [[your]1149-my dear aunt most dutiful nephew]1150-your most dutiful nephew . " [He]173-robert and [George]157-george stopped by the archway while the fly drew up at the door , and [the surprised servants]5368-the surprised servants came out to welcome [[their]5368-the surprised servants master]5369-their master and [mistress]5228-mistress . "[1150-your most dutiful nephew] [I]0-i think the storm will hold off to - night , " said [the baronet]465-the baronet looking up at the sky ; "[0-i] but [we]1151-we shall certainly have it tomorrow . " [Sir Michael]146-sir michael was mistaken in [his]146-sir michael prophecy upon the weather . The storm did not hold off until next day , but burst with terrible fury over [the village of Audley]5372-the village of audley about half an hour before midnight . [Robert Audley]173-robert took the thunder and lightning with the same composure with which [he]173-robert accepted all the other ills of life . [He]157-george lay on a sofa in [the sitting - room]5373-the sitting - room , ostensibly reading the five - days - old Chelmsford paper , and regaling [himself]157-george occasionally with a few sips from a large tumbler of cold punch . But the storm had quite a different effect upon [George Talboys]157-george . [[His]157-george friend]4909-his friend was startled when [he]4909-his friend looked at [the young man]667-the young man 's white face as [he]157-george sat opposite the open window listening to the thunder , and staring at the black sky , rent every now and then by forked streaks of steel - blue lightning . "[157-george] [George]157-george , " said [Robert]173-robert , after watching [him]157-george for some time , "[157-george] are [you]157-george frightened of the lightning ? " "[157-george] No , " [he]157-george answered , curtly . "[157-george] But , [dear boy]861-dear boy , [some of [the most courageous men]1154-the most courageous men]1153-some of the most courageous men have been frightened of it . It is scarcely to be called a fear : it is constitutional . [I]0-i am sure [you]157-george are frightened of it . " "[157-george] No , [I]0-i am not . " "[157-george] But , [George]157-george , if [you]157-george could see [yourself]157-george , white and haggard , with [your]157-george great hollow eyes staring out at the sky as if they were fixed upon a ghost . [I]0-i tell [you]157-george [I]0-i know that [you]157-george are frightened . " "[0-i] And [I]0-i tell [you]157-george that [I]0-i am not . " "[0-i] [George Talboys]157-george , [you]157-george are not only afraid of the lightning , but [you]157-george are savage with [yourself]157-george for being afraid , and with [me]0-i for telling [you]157-george of [your]157-george fear . " "[157-george] [Robert Audley]173-robert , if [you]157-george say another word to [me]0-i , [I]0-i shall knock [you]157-george down , " cried [George]157-george , furiously ; having said which , [Mr. Talboys]157-george strode out of [the room]595-the room , banging the door after [him]157-george with a violence that shook [the house]388-the house . Those inky clouds , which had shut in the sultry earth as if with a roof of hot iron , poured out their blackness in a sudden deluge as [George]157-george left [the room]595-the room ; but if [the young man]667-the young man was afraid of the lightning , [he]667-the young man certainly was not afraid of the rain ; for [he]667-the young man walked straight down - stairs to [the inn]5152-the inn door , and went out into [the wet high road]5381-the wet high road . [He]667-the young man walked up and down , up and down , in the soaking shower for about twenty minutes , and then , re - entering [the inn]5152-the inn , strode up to [[his]667-the young man bedroom]5383-his bedroom . [Robert Audley]173-robert met [him]157-george on [the landing]5384-the landing , with [his]667-the young man hair beaten about [his]667-the young man white face , and [his]667-the young man garments dripping wet . "[0-i] Are [you]1155-you going to bed , [George]157-george ? " "[1155-you] Yes . " "[1155-you] But [you]1155-you have no candle . " "[1155-you] [I]0-i do n't want one . " "[0-i] But look at [your]1155-you clothes , [man]990-man ! Do [you]1155-you see the wet streaming down [your]1155-you coat - sleeves ? What on earth made [you]1155-you go out upon such a night ? " "[0-i] [I]0-i am tired , and want to go to bed — don't bother [me]0-i . " "[1155-you] [You]1155-you 'll take some hot brandy - and - water , [George]157-george ? " [Robert Audley]173-robert stood in [[his]173-robert friend]4909-his friend 's way as [he]173-robert spoke , anxious to prevent [his]173-robert going to bed in [the state [he]173-robert was in]5386-the state he was in ; but [George]157-george pushed [him]173-robert fiercely aside , and , striding past [him]173-robert , said , in the same hoarse voice [Robert]173-robert had noticed at [the Court]373-the court : "[157-george] Let [me]0-i alone , [Robert Audley]173-robert , and keep clear of [me]0-i if [you]157-george can . " [Robert]173-robert followed [George]157-george to [[his]157-george bedroom]5383-his bedroom , but [the young man]667-the young man banged the door in [his]667-the young man face , so there was nothing for it but to leave [Mr. Talboys]157-george to [himself]667-the young man , to recover [his]667-the young man temper as best [he]667-the young man might . "[157-george] [He]157-george was irritated at [my]0-i noticing [his]157-george terror of the lightning , " thought [Robert]173-robert , as [he]173-robert calmly retired to rest , serenely indifferent to the thunder , which seemed to shake [him]173-robert in [his]173-robert bed , and the lightning playing fitfully round the razors in [his]173-robert open dressing - case . The storm rolled away from [the quiet village of [Audley]150-lady audley]5390-the quiet village of audley , and when [Robert]173-robert awoke the next morning it was to see bright sunshine , and a peep of cloudless sky between the white curtains of [his]173-robert bedroom window . It was one of those serene and lovely mornings that sometimes succeed a storm . The birds sung loud and cheerily , the yellow corn uplifted itself in [the broad fields]5391-the broad fields , and waved proudly after its sharp tussle with the tempest , which had done its best to beat down the heavy ears with cruel wind and driving rain half the night through . The vine - leaves clustering round [Robert]173-robert 's window fluttered with a joyous rustling , shaking the rain - drops in diamond showers from every spray and tendril . [Robert Audley]173-robert found [[his]173-robert friend]4909-his friend waiting for [him]173-robert at the breakfast - table . [George]157-george was very pale , but perfectly tranquil — if anything , indeed , more cheerful than usual . [He]157-george shook [Robert]173-robert by the hand with something of that hearty manner for which [he]157-george had been distinguished before the one affliction of [his]157-george life overtook and shipwrecked [him]157-george . "[157-george] Forgive [me]0-i , [Bob]174-bob , " [he]0-i said , frankly , "[174-bob] for [my]0-i surly temper of last night . [You]174-bob were quite correct in [your]174-bob assertion ; the thunderstorm did upset [me]0-i . It always had the same effect upon [me]0-i in [my]0-i youth . " "[1157-poor old boy] [Poor old boy]1157-poor old boy ! Shall [we]1158-we go up by the express , or shall [we]1158-we stop here and dine with [[my]0-i uncle]991-my uncle to - night ? " asked [Robert]173-robert . "[991-my uncle] To tell the truth , [Bob]174-bob , [I]0-i would rather do neither . It 's a glorious morning . Suppose [we]1158-we stroll about all day , take another turn with the rod and line , and go up to [town]864-town by [the train that leaves]1161-the train that leaves [here]4776-here at 6.15 in the evening ? " [Robert Audley]173-robert would have assented to a far more disagreeable proposition than this , rather than have taken the trouble to oppose [[his]173-robert friend]4909-his friend , so the matter was immediately agreed upon ; and after [they]1158-we had finished [their]1158-we breakfast , and ordered a four o'clock dinner , [George Talboys]157-george took the fishing - rod across [his]157-george broad shoulders , and strode out of [the house]388-the house with [[his]157-george friend]4909-his friend and [companion]5396-companion . But if the equable temperament of [Mr. Robert Audley]173-robert had been undisturbed by the crackling peals of thunder that shook the very foundations of [the Sun Inn]5106-the sun inn , it had not been so with the more delicate sensibilties of [[his]173-robert uncle 's young wife]5398-his uncle 's young wife . [Lady Audley]150-lady audley confessed [herself]150-lady audley terribly frightened of the lightning . [She]150-lady audley had [her]150-lady audley bedstead wheeled into a corner of [the room]595-the room , and with the heavy curtains drawn tightly round [her]150-lady audley , [she]150-lady audley lay with [her]150-lady audley face buried in the pillow , shuddering convulsively at every sound of the tempest without . [Sir Michael]146-sir michael , whose stout heart had never known a fear , almost trembled for [this fragile creature , whom it]5400-this fragile creature , whom it was [his]146-sir michael happy privilege to protect and defend . [[My]852-my pretty one lady]468-my lady would not consent to undress till nearly three o'clock in the morning , when the last lingering peal of thunder had died away among [the distant hills]5402-the distant hills . Until that hour [she]150-lady audley lay in the handsome silk dress in which [she]150-lady audley had traveled , huddled together among the bedclothes , only looking up now and then with a scared face to ask if the storm was over . Toward four o'clock [[her]150-lady audley husband , who spent the night in watching by [her]150-lady audley bedside]5403-her husband , who spent the night in watching by her bedside , saw [her]150-lady audley drop off into a deep sleep , from which [she]150-lady audley did not awake for nearly five hours . But [she]150-lady audley came into [the breakfast - room]5404-the breakfast - room , at half - past nine o'clock , singing a little Scotch melody , [her]150-lady audley cheeks tinged with as delicate a pink as the pale hue of [her]150-lady audley muslin morning dress . Like the birds and the flowers , [she]150-lady audley seemed to recover [her]150-lady audley beauty and joyousness in the morning sunshine . [She]150-lady audley tripped lightly out onto [the lawn]5405-the lawn , gathering a last lingering rosebud here and there , and a sprig or two of geranium , and returning through the dewy grass , warbling long cadences for very happiness of heart , and looking as fresh and radiant as the flowers in [her]150-lady audley hands . [The baronet]465-the baronet caught [her]852-my pretty one in [his]465-the baronet strong arms as [she]852-my pretty one came in through the open window . "[852-my pretty one] [[My]0-i pretty one]852-my pretty one , " [he]465-the baronet said , "[852-my pretty one] [[my]0-i darling]4709-my darling , what happiness to see [you]852-my pretty one [your]852-my pretty one own merry self again ! Do [you]852-my pretty one know , [Lucy]152-miss graham , that once last night , when [you]852-my pretty one looked out through the dark - green bed - curtains , with [your]852-my pretty one poor , white face , and the purple rims round [your]852-my pretty one hollow eyes , [I]0-i had almost a difficulty to recognize [[my]0-i little wife]697-my little wife in that terrified , agonized - looking creature , crying out about the storm . Thank [God]164-god for the morning sun , which has brought back the rosy cheeks and bright smile ! [I]0-i hope to Heaven , [Lucy]152-miss graham , [I]0-i shall never again see [you]852-my pretty one look as [you]852-my pretty one did last night . " [She]152-miss graham stood on tiptoe to kiss [him]1168-noble , handsome husband , and then was only tall enough to reach [his]1168-noble , handsome husband white beard . [She]152-miss graham told [him]1168-noble , handsome husband , laughing , that [she]152-miss graham had always been [a silly , frightened creature]5407-a silly , frightened creature — frightened of dogs , frightened of cattle , frightened of a thunderstorm , frightened of [a rough sea]5408-a rough sea . "[852-my pretty one] Frightened of everything and [everybody]632-everybody but [[my]0-i dear]4626-my dear , [noble , handsome husband]1168-noble , handsome husband , " [she]152-miss graham said . [She]152-miss graham had found the carpet in [[her]152-miss graham dressing - room]5211-her dressing - room disarranged , and had inquired into the mystery of [the secret passage]1133-the secret passage . [She]152-miss graham chid [Miss Alicia]149-alicia in a playful , laughing way , for [her]152-miss graham boldness in introducing [two great men]5411-two great men into [[[my]1168-noble , handsome husband lady]468-my lady 's rooms]4811-my lady 's rooms . "[1168-noble , handsome husband] And [they]1169-they had the audacity to look at [my]0-i picture , [Alicia]149-alicia , " [she]1171-she said , with mock indignation . "[149-alicia] [I]0-i found the baize thrown on the ground , and [a great man]1170-a great man 's glove on the carpet . Look ! " "[1171-she] [She]1171-she held up a thick driving glove as [she]1171-she spoke . It was [George]157-george 's , which [he]157-george had dropped looking at the picture . " [I]146-sir michael shall go up to [the Sun]5414-the sun , and ask [those boys]5415-those boys to dinner , "[146-sir michael] [Sir Michael]146-sir michael said , as [he]146-sir michael left [the Court]373-the court upon [his]146-sir michael morning walk around [[his]146-sir michael farm]1173-his farm . [Lady Audley]150-lady audley flitted from [room]1174-room to [room]1174-room in the bright September sunshine — now sitting down to the piano to trill out a ballad , or the first page of an Italian bravura , or running with rapid fingers through a brilliant waltz — now hovering about a stand of hot - house flowers , doing amateur gardening with a pair of fairy - like , silver - mounted embroidery scissors — now strolling into [[her]150-lady audley dressing - room]5211-her dressing - room to talk to [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe , and have [her]150-lady audley curls rearranged for the third or fourth time ; for the ringlets were always getting into disorder , and gave no little trouble to [[Lady Audley]150-lady audley 's maid]1177-lady audley 's maid . [[My]0-i dear lady]1178-my dear lady seemed , on this particular September day , restless from very joyousness of spirit , and unable to stay long in one place , or occupy [herself]1178-my dear lady with one thing . While [Lady Audley]150-lady audley amused [herself]150-lady audley in [her]150-lady audley own frivolous fashion , [the two young men]4962-the two young men strolled slowly along the margin of [the stream]1180-the stream until [they]4962-the two young men reached a shady corner where the water was deep and still , and the long branches of the willows trailed into [the brook]1181-the brook . [George Talboys]157-george took the fishing - rod , while [Robert]173-robert stretched [himself]173-robert at full length on a railway rug , and balancing [his]173-robert hat upon [his]173-robert nose as a screen from the sunshine , fell fast asleep . Those were happy fish in the stream on [the banks of which [Mr. Talboys]157-george was seated]1182-the banks of which mr. talboys was seated . [They]4962-the two young men might have amused [themselves]4962-the two young men to [their]4962-the two young men hearts ' content with timid nibbles at [this gentleman]1183-this gentleman 's bait without in any manner endangering [their]4962-the two young men safety ; for [George]157-george only stared vacantly in [the water]403-the water , holding [his]157-george rod in a loose , listless hand , and with a strange , far - away look in [his]157-george eyes . As the church clock struck two [he]157-george threw down [his]157-george rod , and , striding away along [the bank]1185-the bank , left [Robert Audley]173-robert to enjoy a nap which , according to [that gentleman]4886-that gentleman 's habits , was by no means unlikely to last for two or three hours . About a quarter of a mile further on [George]157-george crossed [a rustic bridge]1187-a rustic bridge , and struck into [the meadows]776-the meadows which led to [Audley Court]1-audley court . The birds had sung so much all the morning , that [they]1189-they had , perhaps , by this time grown tired ; the lazy cattle were asleep in [the meadows]776-the meadows ; [Sir Michael]146-sir michael was still away on [his]146-sir michael morning 's ramble ; [Miss Alicia]149-alicia had scampered off an hour before on [her]149-alicia chestnut mare ; [the servants]545-the servants were all at dinner in [the back part of [the house]388-the house]1192-the back part of the house ; and [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady had strolled , book in hand , into [the shadowy lime - walk]1195-the shadowy lime - walk ; so [the gray old building]1196-the gray old building had never worn a more peaceful aspect than on that bright afternoon when [George Talboys]157-george walked across [the lawn]5405-the lawn to ring a sonorous peal at the sturdy , iron - bound oak door . [The servant who answered [his]157-george summons]1198-the servant who answered his summons told [him]157-george that [Sir Michael]146-sir michael was out , and [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady walking in [the lime - tree avenue]1200-the lime - tree avenue . [He]157-george looked a little disappointed at this intelligence , and muttering something about wishing to see [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , or going to look for [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady ( [the servant]1203-the servant did not clearly distinguish [his]157-george words ) , strode away from the door without leaving either card or message for [the family]559-the family . It was full an hour and a half after this when [Lady Audley]150-lady audley returned to [the house]388-the house , not coming from [the lime - walk]5297-the lime - walk , but from exactly the opposite direction , carrying [her]150-lady audley open book in [her]150-lady audley hand , and singing as [she]150-lady audley came . [Alicia]149-alicia had just dismounted from [her]149-alicia mare , and stood in the low - arched doorway , with [her]149-alicia great Newfoundland dog by [her]149-alicia side . The dog , which had never liked [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , showed [his]157-george teeth with a suppressed growl . " Send that horrid animal away , [Alicia]149-alicia , "[157-george] [Lady Audley]150-lady audley said , impatiently . " [The brute]5416-the brute knows that [I]150-lady audley am frightened of [him]5416-the brute , and takes advantage of [my]150-lady audley terror . And yet [they]5416-the brute call [the creatures generous and noble - hearted]5417-the creatures generous and noble - hearted ! Bah , [Caesar]196-caesar ! [I]150-lady audley hate [you]196-caesar , and [you]196-caesar hate [me]150-lady audley ; and if [you]196-caesar met [me]150-lady audley in the dark in [some narrow passage]5418-some narrow passage [you]196-caesar would fly at [my]150-lady audley throat and strangle [me]150-lady audley , would n't [you]196-caesar ? "[150-lady audley] [[My]0-i lady]468-my lady , safely sheltered behind [[her]468-my lady step - daughter]5225-her step - daughter , shook [her]468-my lady yellow curls at the angry animal , and defied [him]1210-him maliciously . " Do [you]196-caesar know , [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , that [Mr. Talboys]157-george , [the young widower]5419-the young widower , has been here asking for [Sir Michael]146-sir michael and [you]196-caesar ? "[468-my lady] [Lucy Audley]197-lucy lifted [her]197-lucy penciled eyebrows . " [I]197-lucy thought [they]5420-they were coming to dinner , "[197-lucy] [she]197-lucy said . " Surely [we]5421-we shall have enough of [them]5420-they then . "[197-lucy] [She]197-lucy had a heap of wild autumn flowers in the skirt of [her]197-lucy muslin dress . [She]197-lucy had come through the fields at [the back of [the Court]373-the court]1211-the back of the court , gathering the hedge - row blossoms in [her]197-lucy way . [She]197-lucy ran lightly up the broad staircase to [[her]197-lucy own rooms]1213-her own rooms . [George]157-george 's glove lay on [her]197-lucy boudoir table . [Lady Audley]150-lady audley rung the bell violently , and it was answered by [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe . " Take that litter away , "[197-lucy] [she]197-lucy said , sharply . [The girl]753-the girl collected the glove and a few withered flowers and torn papers lying on the table into [her]753-the girl apron . " What have [you]753-the girl been doing all this morning ? "[468-my lady] asked [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady . " Not wasting [your]753-the girl time , [I]468-my lady hope ? "[468-my lady] " No , [[my]753-the girl lady]468-my lady , [I]753-the girl have been altering the blue dress . It is rather dark on this side of [the house]388-the house , so [I]753-the girl took it up to [[my]753-the girl own room]5424-my own room , and worked at the window . "[753-the girl] [The girl]753-the girl was leaving [the room]595-the room as [she]753-the girl spoke , but [she]753-the girl turned around and looked at [Lady Audley]150-lady audley as if waiting for further orders . [Lucy]197-lucy looked up at the same moment , and the eyes of [the two women]1218-the two women met . " [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe , "[468-my lady] said [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , throwing [herself]468-my lady into an easy - chair , and trifling with the wild flowers in [her]468-my lady lap , " [you]166-phoebe are [a good , industrious girl]5425-a good , industrious girl , and while [I]468-my lady live and am prosperous , [you]166-phoebe shall never want [a firm friend]5426-a firm friend or a twenty - pound note . "[468-my lady] When [Robert Audley]173-robert awoke [he]173-robert was surprised to see the fishing - rod lying on [the bank]1185-the bank , the line trailing idly in [the water]403-the water , and the float bobbing harmlessly up and down in the afternoon sunshine . [The young barrister]5094-the young barrister was a long time stretching [his]5094-the young barrister arms and legs in various directions to convince [himself]5094-the young barrister , by means of such exercise , that [he]5094-the young barrister still retained the proper use of [those members]1223-those members ; then , with a mighty effort , [he]5094-the young barrister contrived to rise from the grass , and having deliberately folded [his]5094-the young barrister railway rug into a convenient shape for carrying over [his]5094-the young barrister shoulder , [he]5094-the young barrister strolled away to look for [George Talboys]157-george . Once or twice [he]5094-the young barrister gave a sleepy shout , scarcely loud enough to scare the birds in the branches above [his]5094-the young barrister head , or the trout in the stream at [his]5094-the young barrister feet : but receiving no answer , grew tired of the exertion , and dawdled on , yawning as [he]5094-the young barrister went , and still looking for [George Talboys]157-george . By - and - by [he]5094-the young barrister took out [his]5094-the young barrister watch , and was surprised to find that it was a quarter past four . " Why , [the selfish beggar]5427-the selfish beggar must have gone [home]479-home to [his]5427-the selfish beggar dinner ! "[5094-the young barrister] [he]5094-the young barrister muttered , reflectively ; " and yet that is n't much like [him]5427-the selfish beggar , for [he]5427-the selfish beggar seldom remembers even [his]5427-the selfish beggar meals unless [I]5094-the young barrister jog [his]5427-the selfish beggar memory . "[5094-the young barrister] Even a good appetite , and the knowledge that [his]5094-the young barrister dinner would very likely suffer by this delay , could not quicken [Mr. Robert Audley]173-robert 's constitutional dawdle , and by the time [he]5094-the young barrister strolled in at the front door of the Sun , the clocks were striking five . [He]5094-the young barrister so fully expected to find [George Talboys]157-george waiting for [him]5094-the young barrister in [the little sitting - room]1224-the little sitting - room , that the absence of [that gentleman]4886-that gentleman seemed to give [the apartment]5327-the apartment a dreary look , and [Robert]173-robert groaned aloud . " This is lively ! "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said . " A cold dinner , and [nobody]566-nobody to eat it with ! "[173-robert] [The landlord of the Sun]1227-the landlord of the sun came [himself]1227-the landlord of the sun to apologize for [his]1227-the landlord of the sun ruined dishes . " As fine a pair of ducks , [Mr. Audley]173-robert , as ever [you]173-robert clapped eyes on , but burnt up to a cinder , along of being kep ' hot . "[1227-the landlord of the sun] " Never mind the ducks , "[173-robert] [Robert]173-robert said impatiently ; " where 's [Mr. Talboys]157-george ? "[173-robert] " [He]157-george ai n't been in , [sir]900-sir , since [you]173-robert went out together this morning . "[1227-the landlord of the sun] " What ! "[173-robert] cried [Robert]173-robert . " Why , in heaven 's name , what has [the man]634-the man done with [himself]634-the man ? "[173-robert] [He]173-robert walked to the window and looked out upon [the broad , white high road]1228-the broad , white high road . There was [a wagon laden with trusses of hay crawling slowly past]1229-a wagon laden with trusses of hay crawling slowly past , the lazy horses and the lazy wagoner drooping [their]1230-their heads with a weary stoop under the afternoon 's sunshine . There was a flock of sheep straggling about [the road]1231-the road , with a dog running [himself]1227-the landlord of the sun into a fever in the endeavor to keep [them]1232-them decently together . There were [some bricklayers just released from work]1233-some bricklayers just released from work — [a tinker mending some kettles]1234-a tinker mending some kettles by the roadside ; there was [a dog - cart]1235-a dog - cart dashing down [the road]1231-the road , carrying [the master of the Audley hounds]1237-the master of the audley hounds to [his]1237-the master of the audley hounds seven o'clock dinner ; there were a dozen common village sights and sounds that mixed themselves up into a cheerful bustle and confusion ; but there was no [George Talboys]157-george . " Of all the extraordinary things that ever happened to [me]173-robert in the whole course of [my]173-robert life , "[173-robert] said [Mr. Robert Audley]173-robert , " this is the most miraculous ! "[1238-the landlord still in attendance] [The landlord still in attendance]1238-the landlord still in attendance , opened [his]1238-the landlord still in attendance eyes as [Robert]173-robert made this remark . What could there be extraordinary in the simple fact of [a gentleman]4644-a gentleman being late for [his]4644-a gentleman dinner ? " [I]173-robert shall go and look for [him]4644-a gentleman , "[173-robert] said [Robert]173-robert , snatching up [his]173-robert hat and walking straight out of [the house]388-the house . But the question was where to look for [him]4644-a gentleman . [He]4644-a gentleman certainly was not by [the trout stream]1241-the trout stream , so it was no good going back there in search of [him]4644-a gentleman . [Robert]173-robert was standing before [the inn]5152-the inn , deliberating on what was best to be done , when [the landlord]5144-the landlord came out after [him]173-robert . " [I]5144-the landlord forgot to tell [you]173-robert , [Mr. Audley]173-robert , as how [[your]173-robert uncle]1016-your uncle called here five minutes after [you]173-robert was gone , and left a message , asking of [you]173-robert and [the other gentleman]5433-the other gentleman to go down to dinner at [the Court]373-the court . "[5144-the landlord] " Then [I]173-robert should n't wonder , "[173-robert] said [Robert]173-robert , " if [George Talboys]157-george has gone down to [the Court]373-the court to call upon [[my]173-robert uncle]991-my uncle . It is n't like [him]157-george , but it 's just possible that [he]157-george has done it . "[173-robert] It was six o'clock when [Robert]173-robert knocked at the door of [[[his]173-robert uncle]4872-his uncle 's house]1245-his uncle 's house . [He]173-robert did not ask to see [any of [the family]559-the family]1246-any of the family , but inquired at once for [[his]173-robert friend]4909-his friend . Yes , [the servant]1203-the servant told [him]173-robert ; [Mr. Talboys]157-george had been [there]374-there at two o'clock or a little after . " And not since ? "[157-george] " No , not since . "[634-the man] Was [the man]634-the man sure that it was at two [Mr. Talboys]157-george called ? [Robert]173-robert asked . Yes , perfectly sure . [He]173-robert remembered the hour because it was [the servants]545-the servants ' dinner hour , and [he]173-robert had left the table to open the door to [Mr. Talboys]157-george . " Why , what can have become of [the man]634-the man ? "[173-robert] thought [Robert]173-robert , as [he]173-robert turned [his]173-robert back upon [the Court]373-the court . " From two till six — four good hours — and no signs of [him]634-the man ! "[173-robert] If [any one]5101-any one had ventured to tell [Mr. Robert Audley]173-robert that [he]173-robert could possibly feel a strong attachment to any creature breathing , [that cynical gentleman]1255-that cynical gentleman would have elevated [his]173-robert eyebrows in supreme contempt at the preposterous notion . Yet here [he]173-robert was , flurried and anxious , bewildering [his]173-robert brain by all manner of conjectures about [[his]173-robert missing friend]1256-his missing friend ; and false to every attribute of [his]173-robert nature , walking fast . " [I]173-robert have n't walked fast since [I]173-robert was at [Eton]21-eton , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert murmured , as [he]173-robert hurried across one of [[Sir Michael]146-sir michael 's meadows]1257-sir michael 's meadows in [the direction of [the village]5107-the village]1258-the direction of the village ; " and the worst of it is , that [I]173-robert have n't the most remote idea where [I]173-robert am going . "[173-robert] Here [he]173-robert crossed [another meadow]1260-another meadow , and then seating [himself]173-robert upon a stile , rested [his]173-robert elbows upon [his]173-robert knees , buried [his]173-robert face in [his]173-robert hands , and set [himself]173-robert seriously to think the matter out . " [I]173-robert have it , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said , after a few minutes ' thought ; " [the railway station]541-the railway station ! "[173-robert] [He]173-robert sprang over the stile , and started off in the direction of [the little red brick building]1261-the little red brick building . There was [no train]1262-no train expected for another half hour , and [the clerk]1263-the clerk was taking [his]1263-the clerk tea in [an apartment on one side of [the office]1265-the office]1264-an apartment on one side of the office , on the door of which was inscribed in large , white letters , " Private . "[1263-the clerk] But [Mr. Audley]173-robert was too much occupied with the one idea of looking for [[his]173-robert friend]4909-his friend to pay any attention to this warning . [He]173-robert strode at once to the door , and rattling [his]173-robert cane against it , brought [the clerk]1263-the clerk out of [[his]1263-the clerk sanctum]1268-his sanctum in a perspiration from hot tea , and with [his]1263-the clerk mouth full of bread and butter . " Do [you]173-robert remember [the gentleman that came down to [Audley]173-robert]5439-the gentleman that came down to audley with [me]173-robert , [Smithers]198-smithers ? "[173-robert] asked [Robert]173-robert . " Well , to tell [you]173-robert the real truth , [Mr. Audley]173-robert , [I]173-robert ca n't say that [I]173-robert do . [You]173-robert came by the four o'clock , if [you]173-robert remember , and there 's always [a good many passengers]5440-a good many passengers by [that train]5441-that train . "[173-robert] " [You]173-robert do n't remember [him]5439-the gentleman that came down to audley , then ? "[1263-the clerk] " Not to [my]1263-the clerk knowledge , [sir]900-sir . "[1263-the clerk] " That 's provoking ! [I]1263-the clerk want to know , [Smithers]198-smithers , whether [he]5439-the gentleman that came down to audley has taken a ticket for [London]3-london since two o'clock to - day . [He]5439-the gentleman that came down to audley 's [a tall , broad - chested young fellow , with a big brown beard]5443-a tall , broad - chested young fellow , with a big brown beard . [You]173-robert could n't well mistake [him]5439-the gentleman that came down to audley . "[1263-the clerk] " There was [four or five gentlemen]5444-four or five gentlemen as took tickets for the 3.30 up , "[1263-the clerk] said [the clerk]1263-the clerk rather vaguely , casting an anxious glance over [his]1263-the clerk shoulder at [[his]1263-the clerk wife]554-his wife , who looked by no means pleased at this interruption to the harmony of the tea - table . " [Four or five gentlemen]5444-four or five gentlemen ! But did either of [them]5444-four or five gentlemen answer to the description of [[my]554-his wife friend]836-my friend ? "[554-his wife] " Well , [I]1263-the clerk think one of [them]5444-four or five gentlemen had a beard , [sir]900-sir . "[1263-the clerk] " A dark - brown beard ? "[1263-the clerk] " Well , [I]554-his wife do n't know , but it was brownish - like . "[554-his wife] " Was [he]5439-the gentleman that came down to audley dressed in gray ? "[1263-the clerk] " [I]1263-the clerk believe it was gray ; [a great many gents]5448-a great many gents wear gray . [He]5439-the gentleman that came down to audley asked for the ticket sharp and short - like , and when [he]5439-the gentleman that came down to audley 'd got it walked straight out onto the platform whistling . "[1263-the clerk] " That 's [George]157-george , "[173-robert] said [Robert]173-robert . " Thank [you]900-sir , [Smithers]198-smithers ; [I]173-robert need n't trouble [you]900-sir any more . It 's as clear as daylight , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert muttered , as [he]173-robert left [the station]1271-the station ; " [he]5439-the gentleman that came down to audley 's got one of [his]5439-the gentleman that came down to audley gloomy fits on [him]5439-the gentleman that came down to audley , and [he]5439-the gentleman that came down to audley 's gone back to [London]3-london without saying a word about it . [I]173-robert 'll leave [Audley]173-robert [myself]173-robert to - morrow morning ; and for to - night — why , [I]173-robert may as well go down to [the Court]373-the court and make the acquaintance of [[my]173-robert uncle 's young wife]5450-my uncle 's young wife . [They]5451-they do n't dine till seven ; if [I]173-robert get back across [the fields]4773-the fields [I]173-robert shall be in time . [Bob]174-bob — otherwise [Robert Audley]173-robert — this sort of thing will never do ; [you]174-bob are falling over head and ears in love with [[your]174-bob aunt]1087-your aunt . "[173-robert] [Robert]173-robert found [Sir Michael]146-sir michael and [Lady Audley]150-lady audley in [the drawing - room]467-the drawing - room . [[My]0-i lady]468-my lady was sitting on a music - stool before the grand piano , turning over the leaves of some new music . [She]468-my lady twirled upon the revolving seat , making a rustling with [her]468-my lady silk flounces , as [Mr. Robert Audley]173-robert 's name was announced ; then , leaving the piano , [she]468-my lady made [[her]468-my lady nephew]5188-her nephew a pretty , mock ceremonious courtesy . " Thank [you]173-robert so much for the sables , "[468-my lady] [she]468-my lady said , holding out [her]468-my lady little fingers , all glittering and twinkling with the diamonds [she]468-my lady wore upon them ; " thank [you]173-robert for those beautiful sables . How good it was of [you]173-robert to get them for [me]468-my lady . "[468-my lady] [Robert]173-robert had almost forgotten the commission [he]173-robert had executed for [Lady Audley]150-lady audley during [his]173-robert Russian expedition . [His]173-robert mind was so full of [George Talboys]157-george that [he]173-robert only acknowledged [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady 's gratitude by a bow . " Would [you]468-my lady believe it , [Sir Michael]146-sir michael ? "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said . " [That foolish chum of mine]5454-that foolish chum of mine has gone back to [London]3-london leaving [me]173-robert in the lurch . "[173-robert] " [Mr. George Talboys]157-george returned to [town]864-town ? "[468-my lady] exclaimed [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , lifting [her]468-my lady eyebrows . " What a dreadful catastrophe ! "[149-alicia] said [Alicia]149-alicia , maliciously , " since [Pythias]199-pythias , in the person of [Mr. Robert Audley]173-robert , can not exist for half an hour without [Damon]200-damon , commonly known as [George Talboys]157-george . "[149-alicia] " [He]173-robert 's [a very good fellow]5456-a very good fellow , "[173-robert] [Robert]173-robert said , stoutly ; " and to tell the honest truth , [I]173-robert 'm rather uneasy about [him]173-robert . "[173-robert] " Uneasy about [him]173-robert ! "[468-my lady] [[My]0-i lady]468-my lady was quite anxious to know why [Robert]173-robert was uneasy about [[his]173-robert friend]4909-his friend . " [I]5094-the young barrister 'll tell [you]468-my lady why , [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , "[5094-the young barrister] answered [the young barrister]5094-the young barrister . " [George]157-george had a bitter blow a year ago in the death of [[his]157-george wife]554-his wife . [He]157-george has never got over that trouble . [He]157-george takes life pretty quietly — almost as quietly as [I]5094-the young barrister do — but [he]157-george often talks very strangely , and [I]5094-the young barrister sometimes think that one day this grief will get the better of [him]157-george , and [he]157-george will do something rash . "[5094-the young barrister] [Mr. Robert Audley]173-robert spoke vaguely , but all three of [[his]173-robert listeners]1280-his listeners knew that the something rash to which [he]173-robert alluded was that one deed for which there is no repentance . There was a brief pause , during which [Lady Audley]150-lady audley arranged [her]150-lady audley yellow ringlets by the aid of the glass over the console table opposite to [her]150-lady audley . " Dear [me]150-lady audley ! "[150-lady audley] [she]150-lady audley said , " this is very strange . [I]150-lady audley did not think [men]4634-men were capable of these deep and lasting affections . [I]150-lady audley thought that one pretty face was as good as another pretty face to [them]4634-men ; and that when [number one with blue eyes and fair hair]5459-number one with blue eyes and fair hair died , [they]4634-men had only to look out for [number two]5460-number two , with dark eyes and black hair , by way of variety . "[150-lady audley] " [George Talboys]157-george is not [one of [those men]5462-those men]5461-one of those men . [I]468-my lady firmly believe that [[his]157-george wife]554-his wife 's death broke [his]157-george heart . "[468-my lady] " How sad ! "[150-lady audley] murmured [Lady Audley]150-lady audley . " It seems almost cruel of [Mrs. Talboys]181-george talboys to die , and grieve [[her]181-george talboys poor husband]5464-her poor husband so much . "[150-lady audley] " [Alicia]149-alicia was right , [she]149-alicia is childish , "[173-robert] thought [Robert]173-robert as [he]173-robert looked at [[his]173-robert aunt]1281-his aunt 's pretty face . [[My]0-i lady]468-my lady was very charming at the dinner - table ; [she]468-my lady professed the most bewitching incapacity for carving the pheasant set before [her]468-my lady , and called [Robert]173-robert to [her]468-my lady assistance . " [I]468-my lady could carve a leg of mutton at [Mr. Dawson]151-mr. dawson 's , "[468-my lady] [she]468-my lady said , laughing ; " but a leg of mutton is so easy , and then [I]468-my lady used to stand up . "[468-my lady] [Sir Michael]146-sir michael watched the impression [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady made upon [[his]146-sir michael nephew]5177-his nephew with a proud delight in [her]468-my lady beauty and fascination . " [I]146-sir michael am so glad to see [[my]146-sir michael poor little woman]5465-my poor little woman in [her]468-my lady usual good spirits once more , "[146-sir michael] [he]146-sir michael said . " [She]468-my lady was very down - hearted yesterday at a disappointment [she]468-my lady met with in [London]3-london . "[146-sir michael] " A disappointment ! "[468-my lady] " Yes , [Mr. Audley]173-robert , [a very cruel one]5466-a very cruel one , "[468-my lady] answered [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady . " [I]468-my lady received the other morning a telegraphic message from [[my]468-my lady dear old friend and school - mistress]5467-my dear old friend and school - mistress , telling [me]468-my lady that [she]468-my lady was dying , and that if [I]468-my lady wanted to see [her]468-my lady again , [I]468-my lady must hasten to [her]468-my lady immediately . The telegraphic dispatch contained no address , and of course , from that very circumstance , [I]468-my lady imagined that [she]468-my lady must be living in [the house in which [I]468-my lady left [her]468-my lady three years ago]5468-the house in which i left her three years ago . [Sir Michael]146-sir michael and [I]468-my lady hurried up to [town]864-town immediately , and drove straight to [the old address]5470-the old address . [The house]388-the house was occupied by [strange people]5472-strange people , who could give [me]468-my lady no tidings of [[my]468-my lady friend]836-my friend . [It]388-the house is in [a retired place , where there are very few [tradespeople]5475-tradespeople about]5474-a retired place , where there are very few tradespeople about . [Sir Michael]146-sir michael made inquiries at [the few shops there are]5476-the few shops there are , but , after taking an immense deal of trouble , could discover nothing whatever likely to lead to the information [we]5477-we wanted . [I]468-my lady have [no friends in [London]3-london]5478-no friends in london , and had therefore [no one]507-no one to assist [me]468-my lady except [my]468-my lady dear , generous husband , who did all in [his]146-sir michael power , but in vain , to find [[[my]468-my lady friend]836-my friend 's new residence]5481-my friend 's new residence . "[468-my lady] " It was very foolish not to send the address in the telegraphic message , "[173-robert] said [Robert]173-robert . " When [people]572-people are dying it is not so easy to think of all these things , "[468-my lady] murmured [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , looking reproachfully at [Mr. Audley]173-robert with [her]468-my lady soft blue eyes . In spite of [Lady Audley]150-lady audley 's fascination , and in spite of [Robert]173-robert 's very unqualified admiration of [her]150-lady audley , [the barrister]955-the barrister could not overcome a vague feeling of uneasiness on this quiet September evening . As [he]173-robert sat in the deep embrasure of a mullioned window , talking to [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , [his]173-robert mind wandered away to [shady Figtree Court]14-figtree court , and [he]173-robert thought of [poor George Talboys]157-george smoking [his]157-george solitary cigar in [the room]595-the room with the birds and canaries . " [I]173-robert wish [I]173-robert 'd never felt any friendliness for [the fellow]5483-the fellow , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert thought . " [I]173-robert feel like [a man who has [an only son whose life has gone wrong with [him]173-robert]5485-an only son whose life has gone wrong with him . [I]173-robert wish to [Heaven]201-heaven [I]173-robert could give [him]173-robert back [[his]173-robert wife]554-his wife]5484-a man who has an only son whose life has gone wrong with him . i wish to heaven i could give him back his wife , and send [him]173-robert down to [Ventnor]26-ventnor to finish [his]173-robert days in peace . "[173-robert] Still [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady 's pretty musical prattle ran on as merrily and continuously as the babble in [some brook]1291-some brook ; and still [Robert]173-robert 's thoughts wandered , in spite of [himself]173-robert , to [George Talboys]157-george . [He]173-robert thought of [him]157-george hurrying down to [Southampton]33-southampton by [the mail train]1292-the mail train to see [[his]157-george boy]1293-his boy . [He]173-robert thought of [him]157-george as [he]173-robert had often seen [him]157-george spelling over the shipping advertisements in the Times , looking for [a vessel]4716-a vessel to take [him]157-george back to [Australia]11-australia . Once [he]173-robert thought of [him]157-george with a shudder , lying cold and stiff at the bottom of [some shallow stream]1295-some shallow stream with [his]157-george dead face turned toward the darkening sky . [Lady Audley]150-lady audley noticed [his]173-robert abstraction , and asked [him]173-robert what [he]173-robert was thinking of . " [George Talboys]157-george , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert answered abruptly . [She]150-lady audley gave a little nervous shudder . " Upon [my]150-lady audley word , "[150-lady audley] [she]150-lady audley said , " [you]173-robert make [me]150-lady audley quite uncomfortable by the way in which [you]173-robert talk of [Mr. Talboys]157-george . [One]5487-one would think that something extraordinary had happened to [him]157-george . "[150-lady audley] " God forbid ! But [I]150-lady audley can not help feeling uneasy about [him]157-george . "[150-lady audley] Later in the evening [Sir Michael]146-sir michael asked for some music , and [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady went to the piano . [Robert Audley]173-robert strolled after [her]468-my lady to the instrument to turn over the leaves of [her]468-my lady music ; but [she]468-my lady played from memory , and [he]173-robert was spared the trouble [his]173-robert gallantry would have imposed upon [him]173-robert . [He]173-robert carried a pair of lighted candles to the piano , and arranged them conveniently for [the pretty musician]1297-the pretty musician . [She]468-my lady struck a few chords , and then wandered into a pensive sonata of [Beethoven]147-beethoven 's . It was one of the many paradoxes in [her]468-my lady character , that love of somber and melancholy melodies , so opposite to [her]468-my lady gay nature . [Robert Audley]173-robert lingered by [her]468-my lady side , and as [he]173-robert had no occupation in turning over the leaves of [her]468-my lady music , [he]173-robert amused [himself]173-robert by watching [her]468-my lady jeweled , white hands gliding softly over the keys , with the lace sleeves dropping away from , [her]468-my lady graceful , arched wrists . [He]173-robert looked at [her]468-my lady pretty fingers one by one ; this one glittering with a ruby heart ; that encircled by an emerald serpent ; and about them all a starry glitter of diamonds . From the fingers [his]173-robert eyes wandered to the rounded wrists : the broad , flat , gold bracelet upon [her]468-my lady right wrist dropped over [her]468-my lady hand , as [she]468-my lady executed a rapid passage . [She]468-my lady stopped abruptly to rearrange it ; but before [she]468-my lady could do so [Robert Audley]173-robert noticed a bruise upon [her]468-my lady delicate skin . " [You]468-my lady have hurt [your]468-my lady arm , [Lady Audley]150-lady audley ! "[173-robert] [he]173-robert exclaimed . [She]468-my lady hastily replaced the bracelet . " It is nothing , "[468-my lady] [she]468-my lady said . " [I]468-my lady am unfortunate in having a skin which the slightest touch bruises . "[468-my lady] [She]468-my lady went on playing , but [Sir Michael]146-sir michael came across [the room]595-the room to look into the matter of the bruise upon [[his]146-sir michael wife]554-his wife 's pretty wrist . " What is it , [Lucy]197-lucy ? "[146-sir michael] [he]146-sir michael asked ; " and how did it happen ? "[146-sir michael] " How foolish [you]146-sir michael all are to trouble [yourselves]146-sir michael about anything so absurd ! "[150-lady audley] said [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , laughing . " [I]150-lady audley am rather absent in mind , and amused [myself]150-lady audley a few days ago by tying a piece of ribbon around [my]150-lady audley arm so tightly , that it left a bruise when [I]150-lady audley removed it . "[150-lady audley] " Hum ! "[173-robert] thought [Robert]173-robert . " [[My]173-robert lady]468-my lady tells little childish white lies ; the bruise is of a more recent date than a few days ago ; the skin has only just begun to change color . "[173-robert] [Sir Michael]146-sir michael took the slender wrist in [his]146-sir michael strong hand . " Hold the candle , [Robert]173-robert , "[146-sir michael] [he]146-sir michael said , " and let [us]5489-us look at this poor little arm . "[146-sir michael] It was not one bruise , but four slender , purple marks , such as might have been made by the four fingers of a powerful hand , that had grasped the delicate wrist a shade too roughly . A narrow ribbon , bound tightly , might have left some such marks , it is true , and [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady protested once more that , to the best of [her]468-my lady recollection , that must have been how they were made . Across one of the faint purple marks there was a darker tinge , as if a ring worn on one of those strong and cruel fingers had been ground into the tender flesh . " [I]173-robert am sure [[my]173-robert lady]468-my lady must tell white lies , "[173-robert] thought [Robert]173-robert , " for [I]173-robert ca n't believe the story of the ribbon . "[173-robert] [He]173-robert wished [[his]173-robert relations]1301-his relations good - night and good - by at about half past ten o'clock ; [he]173-robert should run up to [London]3-london by [the first train]873-the first train to look for [George]157-george in [Figtree Court]14-figtree court . " If [I]173-robert do n't find [him]157-george [there]374-there [I]173-robert shall go to [Southampton]33-southampton , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said ; " and if [I]173-robert do n't find [him]157-george there — "[173-robert] " What then ? "[468-my lady] asked [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady . " [I]173-robert shall think that something strange has happened . "[173-robert] [Robert Audley]173-robert felt very low - spirited as [he]173-robert walked slowly [home]479-home between [the shadowy meadows]1305-the shadowy meadows ; more low - spirited still when [he]173-robert re - entered [the sitting room at [Sun Inn]47-sun inn]1306-the sitting room at sun inn , where [he]173-robert and [George]157-george had lounged together , staring out of the window and smoking [their]1307-their cigars . " To think , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said , meditatively , " that it is possible to care so much for [a fellow]5492-a fellow ! But come what may , [I]173-robert 'll go up to [town]864-town after [him]5492-a fellow the first thing to - morrow morning ; and , sooner than be balked in finding [him]5492-a fellow , [I]173-robert 'll go to [the very end of [the world]519-the world]5494-the very end of the world . "[173-robert] With [Mr. Audley]173-robert 's lymphatic nature , determination was so much the exception rather than the rule , that when [he]173-robert did for once in [his]173-robert life resolve upon any course of action , [he]173-robert had a certain dogged , iron - like obstinacy that pushed [him]173-robert on to the fulfillment of [his]173-robert purpose . The lazy bent of [his]173-robert mind , which prevented [him]173-robert from thinking of half a dozen things at a time , and not thinking thoroughly of any one of them , as is the manner of [[your]1308-your more energetic people]1309-your more energetic people , made [him]173-robert remarkably clear - sighted upon any point to which [he]173-robert ever gave [his]173-robert serious attention . Indeed , after all , though [solemn benchers]1310-solemn benchers laughed at [him]173-robert , and [rising barristers]1311-rising barristers shrugged [their]1311-rising barristers shoulders under rustling silk gowns , when [people]572-people spoke of [Robert Audley]173-robert , [I]0-i doubt if , had [he]173-robert ever taken the trouble to get a brief , [he]173-robert might not have rather surprised [the magnates who underrated [his]173-robert abilities]1313-the magnates who underrated his abilities . The September sunlight sparkled upon the fountain in [the Temple Gardens]15-the temple gardens when [Robert Audley]173-robert returned to [Figtree Court]14-figtree court early the following morning . [He]173-robert found the canaries singing in [the pretty little room in which [George]157-george had slept]1314-the pretty little room in which george had slept , but [the apartment]5327-the apartment was in the same prim order in which [the laundress]1316-the laundress had arranged it after the departure of [the two young men]4962-the two young men — not a chair displaced , or so much as the lid of a cigar - box lifted , to bespeak the presence of [George Talboys]157-george . With a last , lingering hope , [he]173-robert searched upon the mantelpieces and tables of [[his]173-robert rooms]1318-his rooms , on the chance of finding some letter left by [George]157-george . " [He]157-george may have slept [here]4776-here last night , and started for [Southampton]33-southampton early this morning , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert thought . " [Mrs. Maloney]202-mrs. maloney has been [here]4776-here , very likely , to make everything tidy after [him]157-george . "[173-robert] But as [he]173-robert sat looking lazily around [the room]595-the room , now and then whistling to [his]173-robert delighted canaries , a slipshod foot upon the staircase without bespoke the advent of [that very Mrs. Maloney who waited upon [the two young men]4962-the two young men]1320-that very mrs. maloney who waited upon the two young men . No , [Mr. Talboys]157-george had not come [home]479-home ; [she]1320-that very mrs. maloney who waited upon the two young men had looked in as early as six o'clock that morning , and found [the chambers]1323-the chambers empty . " Had anything happened to [the poor , dear gentleman]5498-the poor , dear gentleman ? "[1320-that very mrs. maloney who waited upon the two young men] [she]1320-that very mrs. maloney who waited upon the two young men asked , seeing [Robert Audley]173-robert 's pale face . [He]173-robert turned around upon [her]1320-that very mrs. maloney who waited upon the two young men quite savagely at this question . Happened to [him]173-robert ! What should happen to [him]173-robert ? [They]4962-the two young men had only parted at two o'clock the day before . [Mrs. Maloney]202-mrs. maloney would have related to [him]173-robert the history of [a poor dear young engine - driver]1324-a poor dear young engine - driver , who had once lodged with [her]1320-that very mrs. maloney who waited upon the two young men , and who went out , after eating a hearty dinner , in the best of spirits , to meet with [his]173-robert death from the concussion of [an express and a luggage train]1325-an express and a luggage train ; but [Robert]173-robert put on [his]173-robert hat again , and walked straight out of [the house]388-the house before [the honest Irishwoman]1327-the honest irishwoman could begin [her]1320-that very mrs. maloney who waited upon the two young men pitiful story . It was growing dusk when [he]173-robert reached [Southampton]33-southampton . [He]173-robert knew [his]173-robert way to [the poor little terrace of [houses]1329-houses]1328-the poor little terrace of houses , in [a full street leading down to [the water]403-the water , where [[George]157-george 's father - in - law]1332-george 's father - in - law lived]1330-a full street leading down to the water , where george 's father - in - law lived . [Little Georgey]203-little georgey was playing at the open parlor window as [the young man]667-the young man walked down [the street]4740-the street . Perhaps it was this fact , and the dull and silent aspect of [the house]388-the house , which filled [Robert Audley]173-robert 's mind with a vague conviction that [the man]634-the man [he]173-robert came to look for was not there . [The old man]694-the old man [himself]694-the old man opened the door , and [the child]5037-the child peeped out of [the parlor]4803-the parlor to see [the strange gentleman]1340-the strange gentleman . [He]1340-the strange gentleman was [a handsome boy]1341-a handsome boy , with [[his]1340-the strange gentleman father]709-his father 's brown eyes and dark waving hair , and with some latent expression which was not [[his]1340-the strange gentleman father]709-his father 's and which pervaded [his]1340-the strange gentleman whole face , so that although each feature of [the child]5037-the child resembled the same feature in [George Talboys]157-george , [the boy]5049-the boy was not actually like [him]1340-the strange gentleman . [Mr. Maldon]182-mr. maldon was delighted to see [Robert Audley]173-robert ; [he]182-mr. maldon remembered having had the pleasure of meeting [him]173-robert at [Ventnor]26-ventnor , on the melancholy occasion of — [He]182-mr. maldon wiped [his]182-mr. maldon watery old eyes by way of conclusion to the sentence . Would [Mr. Audley]173-robert walk in ? [Robert]173-robert strode into [the parlor]4803-the parlor . The furniture was shabby and dingy , and [the place]385-the place reeked with the smell of stale tobacco and brandy - and - water . [The boy]5049-the boy 's broken playthings , and [the old man]694-the old man 's broken clay pipes and torn , brandy - and - water - stained newspapers were scattered upon the dirty carpet . [Little Georgey]203-little georgey crept toward [the visitor]396-the visitor , watching [him]396-the visitor furtively out of [his]203-little georgey big , brown eyes . [Robert]173-robert took [the boy]5049-the boy on [his]173-robert knee , and gave [him]5049-the boy [his]173-robert watch - chain to play with while [he]173-robert talked to [the old man]694-the old man . " [I]173-robert need scarcely ask the question that [I]173-robert come to ask , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said ; " [I]173-robert was in hopes [I]173-robert should have found [[your]694-the old man son - in - law]927-your son - in - law [here]4776-here . "[173-robert] " What ! [you]173-robert knew that [he]927-your son - in - law was coming to [Southampton]33-southampton ? "[173-robert] " Knew that [he]927-your son - in - law was coming ? "[173-robert] cried [Robert]173-robert , brightening up . " [He]927-your son - in - law is here , then ? "[173-robert] " No , [he]927-your son - in - law is not here now ; but [he]927-your son - in - law has been [here]4776-here . "[173-robert] " When ? "[173-robert] " Late last night ; [he]927-your son - in - law came by the mail . "[173-robert] " And left again immediately ? "[173-robert] " [He]927-your son - in - law stayed little better than an hour . "[173-robert] " [Good Heaven]201-heaven ! "[173-robert] said [Robert]173-robert , " what useless anxiety [that man]1095-that man has given [me]173-robert ! What can be the meaning of all this ? "[173-robert] " [You]173-robert knew nothing of [his]927-your son - in - law intention , then ? "[173-robert] " Of what intention ? "[173-robert] " [I]173-robert mean of [his]927-your son - in - law determination to go to [Australia]11-australia . "[173-robert] " [I]173-robert know that it was always in [his]927-your son - in - law mind more or less , but not more just now than usual . "[173-robert] " [He]927-your son - in - law sails to - night from [Liverpool]6-liverpool . [He]927-your son - in - law came [here]4776-here at one o'clock this morning to have a look at [the boy]5049-the boy , [he]927-your son - in - law said , before [he]927-your son - in - law left [England]7-england , perhaps never to return . [He]927-your son - in - law told [me]173-robert [he]927-your son - in - law was sick of [the world]519-the world , and that the rough life out there was the only thing to suit [him]927-your son - in - law . [He]927-your son - in - law stayed an hour , kissed [the boy]5049-the boy without awaking [him]5049-the boy , and left [Southampton]33-southampton by the mail that starts at a quarter - past two . "[173-robert] " What can be the meaning of all this ? "[173-robert] said [Robert]173-robert . " What could be [his]927-your son - in - law motive for leaving [England]7-england in this manner , without a word to [me]173-robert , [[his]927-your son - in - law most intimate friend]5507-his most intimate friend — without even a change of clothes ; for [he]927-your son - in - law has left everything at [[my]173-robert chambers]860-my chambers ? It is the most extraordinary proceeding ! "[173-robert] [The old man]694-the old man looked very grave . " Do [you]173-robert know , [Mr. Audley]173-robert , "[694-the old man] [he]694-the old man said , tapping [his]694-the old man forehead significantly , " [I]694-the old man sometimes fancy that [Helen]179-helen talboys 's death had a strange effect upon poor [George]157-george . "[694-the old man] " [Pshaw]204-pshaw ! "[173-robert] cried [Robert]173-robert , contemptuously ; " [he]157-george felt the blow most cruelly , but [his]157-george brain was as sound as [yours]173-robert or [mine]173-robert . "[173-robert] " Perhaps [he]157-george will write to [you]173-robert from [Liverpool]6-liverpool , "[1332-george 's father - in - law] said [[George]157-george 's father - in - law]1332-george 's father - in - law . [He]1332-george 's father - in - law seemed anxious to smooth over any indignation that [Robert]173-robert might feel at [[his]173-robert friend]4909-his friend 's conduct . " [He]157-george ought , "[173-robert] said [Robert]173-robert , gravely , " for [we]5509-we 've been [good friends]5510-good friends from the days when [we]5509-we were together at [Eton]21-eton . It is n't kind of [George Talboys]157-george to treat [me]173-robert like this . "[173-robert] But even at the moment that [he]173-robert uttered the reproach a strange thrill of remorse shot through [his]173-robert heart . " It is n't like [him]157-george , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said , " it is n't like [George Talboys]157-george . "[173-robert] [Little Georgey]203-little georgey caught at the sound . " That 's [my]173-robert name , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said , " and [[my]173-robert papa]5511-my papa 's name — [the big gentleman]1083-the big gentleman 's name . "[173-robert] " Yes , [little Georgey]203-little georgey , and [[your]203-little georgey papa]5513-your papa came last night and kissed [you]203-little georgey in [your]203-little georgey sleep . Do [you]203-little georgey remember ? "[173-robert] " No , "[5049-the boy] said [the boy]5049-the boy , shaking [his]5049-the boy curly little head . " [You]203-little georgey must have been very fast asleep , [little Georgey]203-little georgey , not to see [poor papa]5514-poor papa . "[5049-the boy] [The child]5037-the child did not answer , but presently , fixing [his]173-robert eyes upon [Robert]173-robert 's face , [he]173-robert said abruptly : " Where 's [the pretty lady]5515-the pretty lady ? "[173-robert] " [What pretty lady]5516-what pretty lady ? "[173-robert] " [The pretty lady that used to come a long while ago]5517-the pretty lady that used to come a long while ago . "[173-robert] " [He]5514-poor papa means [[his]5514-poor papa poor mamma]5518-his poor mamma , "[694-the old man] said [the old man]694-the old man . " No , "[5049-the boy] cried [the boy]5049-the boy resolutely , " not [mamma]5519-mamma . [Mamma]205-mamma was always crying . [I]5049-the boy did n't like [mamma]5519-mamma — "[5049-the boy] " Hush , [little Georgey]203-little georgey ! "[173-robert] " But [I]173-robert did n't , and [she]5515-the pretty lady did n't like [me]173-robert . [She]5515-the pretty lady was always crying . [I]173-robert mean [the pretty lady]5515-the pretty lady ; the lady that was dressed so fine , and that gave [me]173-robert [my]173-robert gold watch . "[173-robert] " [He]5515-the pretty lady means [the wife of [[my]5049-the boy old captain]5523-my old captain]5522-the wife of my old captain — [an excellent creature , who took a great fancy to [Georgey]203-little georgey]5524-an excellent creature , who took a great fancy to georgey , and gave [him]5523-my old captain some handsome presents . "[5049-the boy] " Where 's [my]203-little georgey gold watch ? Let [me]203-little georgey show [the gentleman]4994-the gentleman [my]203-little georgey gold watch , "[203-little georgey] cried [Georgey]203-little georgey . " It 's gone to be cleaned , [Georgey]203-little georgey , "[203-little georgey] answered [[his]203-little georgey grandfather]5035-his grandfather . " It 's always going to be cleaned , "[5049-the boy] said [the boy]5049-the boy . " The watch is perfectly safe , [I]694-the old man assure [you]5049-the boy , [Mr. Audley]173-robert , "[694-the old man] murmured [the old man]694-the old man , apologetically ; and taking out [a pawnbroker]1363-a pawnbroker 's duplicate , [he]694-the old man handed it to [Robert]173-robert . It was made out in the name of [Captain Mortimer]206-captain mortimer : " Watch , set with diamonds , £ 11 . "[206-captain mortimer] " [I]694-the old man 'm often hard pressed for a few shillings , [Mr. Audley]173-robert , "[694-the old man] said [the old man]694-the old man . " [[My]694-the old man son - in - law]5526-my son - in - law has been very liberal to [me]694-the old man ; but there are [others]5097-others , there are [others]5097-others , [Mr. Audley]173-robert — and — and — [I've]694-the old man not been treated well . "[694-the old man] [He]694-the old man wiped away some genuine tears as [he]694-the old man said this in a pitiful , crying voice . " Come , [Georgey]203-little georgey , it 's time [the brave little man]5529-the brave little man was in bed . Come along with [grandpa]910-grandpa . Excuse [me]694-the old man for a quarter of an hour , [Mr. Audley]173-robert . "[694-the old man] [The boy]5049-the boy went very willingly . At the door of [the room]595-the room [the old man]694-the old man looked back at [[his]694-the old man visitor]1368-his visitor , and said in the same peevish voice , " This is a poor place for [me]694-the old man to pass [my]694-the old man declining years in , [Mr. Audley]173-robert . [I]694-the old man 've made many sacrifices , and [I]694-the old man make them still , but [I]694-the old man 've not been treated well . "[694-the old man] Left alone in [the dusky little sitting - room]1369-the dusky little sitting - room , [Robert Audley]173-robert folded [his]173-robert arms , and sat absently staring at the floor . [George]157-george was gone , then ; [he]157-george might receive some letter of explanation perhaps , when [he]157-george returned to [London]3-london ; but the chances were that [he]157-george would never see [[his]157-george old friend]4944-his old friend again . " And to think that [I]173-robert should care so much for [the fellow]5483-the fellow ! "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said , lifting [his]173-robert eyebrows to the center of [his]173-robert forehead . " [The place]385-the place smells of stale tobacco like [a tap - room]5533-a tap - room , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert muttered presently ; " there can be no harm in [my]173-robert smoking a cigar [here]4776-here . "[173-robert] [He]173-robert took one from the case in [his]173-robert pocket : there was a spark of fire in the little grate , and [he]173-robert looked about for something to light [his]173-robert cigar with . A twisted piece of paper lay half burned upon the hearthrug ; [he]173-robert picked it up , and unfolded it , in order to get a better pipe - light by folding it the other way of the paper . As [he]173-robert did so , absently glancing at the penciled writing upon the fragment of thin paper , a portion of a name caught [his]173-robert eye — a portion of the name that was most in [his]173-robert thoughts . [He]173-robert took the scrap of paper to the window , and examined it by the declining light . It was part of a telegraphic dispatch . The upper portion had been burnt away , but the more important part , the greater part of the message itself , remained . " — [alboys]5535-alboys came to — — last night , and left by the mail for [London]3-london , on [his]5535-alboys way to [Liverpool]6-liverpool , whence [he]5535-alboys was to sail for [Sydney]5-sydney . "[173-robert] The date and the name and address of [the sender of the message]1371-the sender of the message had been burnt with the heading . [Robert Audley]173-robert 's face blanched to a deathly whiteness . [He]173-robert carefully folded the scrap of paper , and placed it between the leaves of [his]173-robert pocket - book . " [[My]173-robert God]5536-my god ! "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said , " what is the meaning of this ? [I]173-robert shall go to [Liverpool]6-liverpool to - night , and make inquiries there ! "[173-robert] [Robert Audley]173-robert left [Southampton]33-southampton by the mail , and let [himself]173-robert into [[his]173-robert chambers]4865-his chambers just as the dawn was creeping cold and gray into [the solitary rooms]1373-the solitary rooms , and the canaries were beginning to rustle their feathers feebly in the early morning . There were several letters in the box behind the door , but there was none from [George Talboys]157-george . [The young barrister]5094-the young barrister was worn out by a long day spent in hurrying from place to place . The usual lazy monotony of [his]5094-the young barrister life had been broken as it had never been broken before in eight - and - twenty tranquil , easy - going years . [His]5094-the young barrister mind was beginning to grow confused upon the point of time . It seemed to [him]5094-the young barrister months since [he]5094-the young barrister had lost sight of [George Talboys]157-george . It was so difficult to believe that it was less than forty - eight hours ago that [the young man]667-the young man had left [him]5094-the young barrister asleep under the willows by [the trout stream]1241-the trout stream . [His]5094-the young barrister eyes were painfully weary for want of sleep . [He]5094-the young barrister searched about [the room]595-the room for some time , looking in all sorts of impossible places for a letter from [George Talboys]157-george , and then threw [himself]5094-the young barrister dressed upon [[his]5094-the young barrister friend]4909-his friend 's bed , in [the room with the canaries and geraniums]1379-the room with the canaries and geraniums . " [I]5094-the young barrister shall wait for to - morrow morning 's post , "[5094-the young barrister] [he]5094-the young barrister said ; " and if that brings no letter from [George]157-george , [I]5094-the young barrister shall start for [Liverpool]6-liverpool without a moment 's delay . "[5094-the young barrister] [He]5094-the young barrister was thoroughly exhausted , and fell into a heavy sleep — a sleep which was profound without being in any way refreshing , for [he]5094-the young barrister was tormented all the time by disagreeable dreams — dreams which were painful , not from any horror in themselves , but from a vague and wearying sense of their confusion and absurdity . At one time [he]5094-the young barrister was pursuing [strange people]5472-strange people and entering [strange houses]1381-strange houses in the endeavor to unravel the mystery of the telegraphic dispatch ; at another time [he]5094-the young barrister was in [the church - yard]1382-the church - yard at [Ventnor]26-ventnor , gazing at the headstone [George]157-george had ordered for [the grave of [[his]157-george dead wife]5028-his dead wife]1383-the grave of his dead wife . Once in the long , rambling mystery of these dreams [he]5094-the young barrister went to [the grave]1385-the grave , and found this headstone gone , and on remonstrating with [the stonemason]5025-the stonemason , was told that [the man]634-the man had a reason for removing the inscription ; a reason that [Robert]173-robert would some day learn . In another dream [he]5094-the young barrister saw [the grave of [Helen Talboys]179-helen talboys]1388-the grave of helen talboys open , and while [he]5094-the young barrister waited , with the cold horror lifting up [his]5094-the young barrister hair , to see [the dead woman]1389-the dead woman rise and stand before [him]5094-the young barrister with [her]1389-the dead woman stiff , charnel - house drapery clinging about [her]1389-the dead woman rigid limbs , [[[his]5094-the young barrister uncle]4872-his uncle 's wife]1391-his uncle 's wife tripped gaily out of [the open grave]1392-the open grave , dressed in the crimson velvet robes in which [the artist]5336-the artist had painted [her]1389-the dead woman , and with [her]1389-the dead woman ringlets flashing like red gold in the unearthly light that shone about [her]1389-the dead woman . But into all these dreams the places [he]5094-the young barrister had last been in , and [the people with whom [he]5094-the young barrister had last been concerned]1394-the people with whom he had last been concerned , were dimly interwoven — sometimes [[his]5094-the young barrister uncle]4872-his uncle ; sometimes [Alicia]149-alicia ; oftenest of all [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady ; [the trout stream in [Essex]2-essex]1397-the trout stream in essex ; the lime - walk at [the Court]373-the court . Once [he]5094-the young barrister was walking in the black shadows of [this long avenue]1399-this long avenue , with [Lady Audley]150-lady audley hanging on [his]5094-the young barrister arm , when suddenly [they]1400-they heard a great knocking in the distance , and [[[his]5094-the young barrister uncle]4872-his uncle 's wife]1391-his uncle 's wife wound [her]1391-his uncle 's wife slender arms around [him]5094-the young barrister , crying out that it was the day of judgment , and that all wicked secrets must now be told . Looking at [her]1391-his uncle 's wife as [she]1391-his uncle 's wife shrieked this in [his]5094-the young barrister ear , [he]5094-the young barrister saw that [her]1391-his uncle 's wife face had grown ghastly white , and that [her]1391-his uncle 's wife beautiful golden ringlets were changing into serpents , and slowly creeping down [her]1391-his uncle 's wife fair neck . [He]5094-the young barrister started from [his]5094-the young barrister dream to find that there was [some one really knocking at]1403-some one really knocking at the outer door of [[his]5094-the young barrister chambers]4865-his chambers . It was a dreary , wet morning , the rain beating against the windows , and the canaries twittering dismally to each other — complaining , perhaps , of the bad weather . [Robert]173-robert could not tell how long [the person]1405-the person had been knocking . [He]5094-the young barrister had mixed the sound with [his]5094-the young barrister dreams , and when [he]5094-the young barrister woke [he]5094-the young barrister was only half conscious of other things . " It 's that stupid [Mrs. Maloney]202-mrs. maloney , [I]5094-the young barrister dare say , "[5094-the young barrister] [he]5094-the young barrister muttered . " [She]1391-his uncle 's wife may knock again for all [I]5094-the young barrister care . Why ca n't [she]1391-his uncle 's wife use [her]1391-his uncle 's wife duplicate key , instead of dragging [a man]445-a man out of bed when [he]445-a man 's half dead with fatigue . "[5094-the young barrister] [The person]1405-the person , whoever it was , did knock again , and then desisted , apparently tired out ; but about a minute afterward a key turned in the door . " [She]1391-his uncle 's wife had [her]1391-his uncle 's wife key with [her]1391-his uncle 's wife all the time , then , "[173-robert] said [Robert]173-robert . " [I]173-robert 'm very glad [I]173-robert did n't get up . "[173-robert] The door between [the sitting - room]5373-the sitting - room and [bed - room]1408-bed - room was half open , and [he]5094-the young barrister could see [the laundress]1316-the laundress bustling about , dusting the furniture , and rearranging things that had never been disarranged . " Is that [you]1391-his uncle 's wife , [Mrs. Maloney]202-mrs. maloney ? "[5094-the young barrister] [he]5094-the young barrister asked . " Yes , [sir]900-sir , "[5094-the young barrister] " Then why , in goodness ' name , did [you]1391-his uncle 's wife make that row at the door , when [you]1391-his uncle 's wife had a key with [you]1391-his uncle 's wife all the time ? "[1316-the laundress] " A row at the door , [sir]900-sir ? "[1316-the laundress] " Yes ; that infernal knocking . "[5094-the young barrister] " Sure [I]1316-the laundress never knocked , [Mister Audley]173-robert , but walked straight in with [my]1316-the laundress kay — "[1316-the laundress] " Then who did knock ? There 's been [some one kicking up a row at that door]5540-some one kicking up a row at that door for a quarter of an hour , [I]1316-the laundress should think ; [you]900-sir must have met [him]5540-some one kicking up a row at that door going down - stairs . "[1316-the laundress] " But [I]5094-the young barrister 'm rather late this morning , [sir]900-sir , for [I]5094-the young barrister 've been in [[Mr. Martin]207-martin 's rooms]5542-mr. martin 's rooms first , and [I]5094-the young barrister 've come straight from the floor above . "[5094-the young barrister] " Then [you]900-sir did n't see [any one at the door]5543-any one at the door , or on the stairs ? "[1316-the laundress] " Not [a mortal soul]5544-a mortal soul , [sir]900-sir . "[1316-the laundress] " Was ever anything so provoking ? "[173-robert] said [Robert]173-robert . " To think that [I]173-robert should have let [this person]5546-this person go away without ascertaining who [he]5546-this person was , or what [he]5546-this person wanted ! How do [I]173-robert know that it was not some one with a message or a letter from [George Talboys]157-george ? "[173-robert] " Sure if it was , [sir]900-sir , [he]157-george 'll come again , "[202-mrs. maloney] said [Mrs. Maloney]202-mrs. maloney , soothingly . " Yes , of course , if it was anything of consequence [he]157-george 'll come again , "[173-robert] muttered [Robert]173-robert . The fact was , that from the moment of finding the telegraphic message at [Southampton]33-southampton , all hope of hearing of [George]157-george had faded out of [his]173-robert mind . [He]173-robert felt that there was some mystery involved in the disappearance of [[his]173-robert friend]4909-his friend — some treachery toward [himself]173-robert , or toward [George]157-george . What if [[the young man]667-the young man 's greedy old father - in - law]1412-the young man 's greedy old father - in - law had tried to separate [them]1413-them on account of the monetary trust lodged in [Robert Audley]173-robert 's hands ? Or what if , since even in these civilized days all kinds of unsuspected horrors are constantly committed — what if [the old man]694-the old man had decoyed [George]157-george down to [Southampton]33-southampton , and made away with [him]157-george in order to get possession of that £ 20,000 , left in [[Robert]173-robert 's custody]1415-robert 's custody for [little Georgey]203-little georgey 's use ? But neither of these suppositions explained the telegraphic message , and it was the telegraphic message which had filled [Robert]173-robert 's mind with a vague sense of alarm . [The postman]4882-the postman brought no letter from [George Talboys]157-george , and [the person who had knocked at the door of the chambers]1417-the person who had knocked at the door of the chambers did not return between seven and nine o'clock , so [Robert Audley]173-robert left [Figtree Court]14-figtree court once more in search of [[his]173-robert friend]4909-his friend . This time [he]173-robert told [the cabman]1419-the cabman to drive to [the Euston Station]1420-the euston station , and in twenty minutes [he]173-robert was on [the platform]1421-the platform , making inquiries about [the trains]1422-the trains . The [Liverpool]6-liverpool express had started half an hour before [he]173-robert reached [the station]1271-the station , and [he]173-robert had to wait an hour and a quarter for [a slow train]1424-a slow train to take [him]173-robert to [his]173-robert destination . [Robert Audley]173-robert chafed cruelly at this delay . [Half a dozen vessels]1425-half a dozen vessels might sail for [Australia]11-australia while [he]173-robert roamed up and down [the long platform]1426-the long platform , tumbling over [trucks]1427-trucks and [porters]1428-porters , and swearing at [his]173-robert ill - luck . [He]173-robert bought the Times newspaper , and looked instinctively at the second column , with a morbid interest in the advertisements of [people missing]1429-people missing — [sons]1430-sons , [brothers]1431-brothers , and [husbands who had left [[their]1432-husbands who had left their homes , never to return or to be heard of more homes]1433-their homes , never to return or to be heard of more]1432-husbands who had left their homes , never to return or to be heard of more . There was one advertisement of [a young man]4958-a young man found drowned somewhere on [the Lambeth shore]1435-the lambeth shore . What if that should have been [George]157-george 's fate ? No ; the telegraphic message involved [[his]157-george father - in - law]5039-his father - in - law in the fact of [his]157-george disappearance , and every speculation about [him]157-george must start from that one point . It was eight o'clock in the evening when [Robert]173-robert got into [Liverpool]6-liverpool ; too late for anything except to make inquiries as to what [vessel]1437-vessel had sailed within the last two days for [the antipodes]1438-the antipodes . [An emigrant ship]1439-an emigrant ship had sailed at four o'clock that afternoon — [the Victoria Regia]48-the victoria regia , bound for [Melbourne]10-melbourne . The result of [his]173-robert inquiries amounted to this — If [he]173-robert wanted to find out who had sailed in the [Victoria Regia]48-the victoria regia , [he]173-robert must wait till the next morning , and apply for information of [that vessel]1440-that vessel . [Robert Audley]173-robert was at [the office]1265-the office at nine o'clock the next morning , and was the first person after [the clerks who entered it]1442-the clerks who entered it . [He]173-robert met with every civility from [the clerk to whom [he]173-robert applied]1443-the clerk to whom he applied . [The young man]667-the young man referred to [his]667-the young man books , and running [his]667-the young man pen down the list of [passengers who had sailed in [the Victoria Regia]48-the victoria regia]1445-passengers who had sailed in the victoria regia , told [Robert]173-robert that there was [no one among [them]1445-passengers who had sailed in the victoria regia of the name of [Talboys]157-george]1446-no one among them of the name of talboys . [He]173-robert pushed [his]173-robert inquiries further . Had any of [the passengers]672-the passengers entered [their]672-the passengers names within a short time of [the vessel]630-the vessel 's sailing ? [One of [the other clerks]1450-the other clerks]1449-one of the other clerks looked up from [his]1449-one of the other clerks desk as [Robert]173-robert asked this question . Yes , [he]1449-one of the other clerks said ; [he]1449-one of the other clerks remembered [a young man]4958-a young man 's coming into [the office]1265-the office at half - past three o'clock in the afternoon , and paying [his]4958-a young man passage money . [His]4958-a young man name was the last on the list — [Thomas Brown]176-this mr. thomas brown . [Robert Audley]173-robert shrugged [his]173-robert shoulders . There could have been no possible reason for [George]157-george 's taking a feigned name . [He]173-robert asked [the clerk who had last spoken if [he]1453-the clerk who had last spoken if he could remember the appearance of this mr. thomas brown could remember the appearance of [this Mr. Thomas Brown]176-this mr. thomas brown]1453-the clerk who had last spoken if he could remember the appearance of this mr. thomas brown . No ; [the office]1265-the office was crowded at the time ; [people]572-people were running in and out , and [he]173-robert had not taken any particular notice of [this last passenger]1456-this last passenger . [Robert]173-robert thanked [them]572-people for [their]572-people civility , and wished [them]572-people good - morning . As [he]173-robert was leaving [the office]1265-the office , one of [the young men]4930-the young men called after [him]173-robert : " Oh , by - the - by , [sir]900-sir , "[1459-he] [he]1459-he said , " [I]1459-he remember one thing about [this Mr. Thomas Brown]176-this mr. thomas brown — [his]176-this mr. thomas brown arm was in a sling . "[1459-he] There was nothing more for [Robert Audley]173-robert to do but to return to [town]864-town . [He]173-robert re - entered [[his]173-robert chambers]4865-his chambers at six o'clock that evening , thoroughly worn out once more with [his]173-robert useless search . [Mrs. Maloney]202-mrs. maloney brought [him]173-robert [his]173-robert dinner and a pint of wine from [a tavern in [the Strand]4920-the strand]1462-a tavern in the strand . The evening was raw and chilly , and [the laundress]1316-the laundress had lighted a good fire in [the sitting - room grate]1465-the sitting - room grate . After eating about half a mutton - chop , [Robert]173-robert sat with [his]173-robert wine untasted upon the table before [him]173-robert , smoking cigars and staring into the blaze . " [George Talboys]157-george never sailed for [Australia]11-australia , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said , after long and painful reflection . " If [he]157-george is alive , [he]157-george is still in [England]7-england ; and if [he]157-george is dead , [his]157-george body is hidden in [some corner of [England]7-england]5549-some corner of england . "[173-robert] [He]173-robert sat for hours smoking and thinking — trouble and gloomy thoughts leaving a dark shadow upon [his]173-robert moody face , which neither the brilliant light of the gas nor the red blaze of the fire could dispel . Very late in the evening [he]173-robert rose from [his]173-robert chair , pushed away the table , wheeled [his]173-robert desk over to [the fire - place]1466-the fire - place , took out a sheet of fools - cap , and dipped a pen in the ink . But after doing this [he]173-robert paused , leaned [his]173-robert forehead upon [his]173-robert hand , and once more relapsed into thought . " [I]173-robert shall draw up a record of all that has occurred between [our]5550-our going down to [Essex]2-essex and to - night , beginning at the very beginning . "[173-robert] [He]173-robert drew up this record in short , detached sentences , which [he]173-robert numbered as [he]173-robert wrote . It ran thus : " Journal of Facts connected with the Disappearance of [George Talboys]157-george , inclusive of Facts which have no apparent Relation to that Circumstance . "[173-robert] In spite of the troubled state of [his]173-robert mind , [he]173-robert was rather inclined to be proud of the official appearance of this heading . [He]173-robert sat for some time looking at it with affection , and with the feather of [his]173-robert pen in [his]173-robert mouth . " Upon [my]173-robert word , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said , " [I]173-robert begin to think that [I]173-robert ought to have pursued [my]173-robert profession , instead of dawdling [my]173-robert life away as [I]173-robert have done . "[173-robert] [He]173-robert smoked half a cigar before [he]173-robert had got [his]173-robert thoughts in [proper train]1467-proper train , and then began to write : " 1 . [I]173-robert write to [Alicia]149-alicia , proposing to take [George]157-george down to [the Court]373-the court . "[173-robert] " 2 . [Alicia]149-alicia writes , objecting to the visit , on the part of [Lady Audley]150-lady audley . "[173-robert] " 3 . [We]5552-we go to [Essex]2-essex in spite of that objection . [I]173-robert see [[my]173-robert lady]468-my lady . [[My]173-robert lady]468-my lady refuses to be introduced to [George]157-george on that particular evening on the score of fatigue . "[173-robert] " 4 . [Sir Michael]146-sir michael invites [George]157-george and [me]173-robert to dinner for the following evening . "[173-robert] " 5 . [[My]173-robert lady]468-my lady receives a telegraphic dispatch the next morning which summons [her]468-my lady to [London]3-london . "[173-robert] " 6 . [Alicia]149-alicia shows [me]173-robert a letter from [[my]173-robert lady]468-my lady , in which [she]468-my lady requests to be told when [I]173-robert and [[my]173-robert friend]836-my friend , [Mr. Talboys]157-george , mean to leave [Essex]2-essex . To this letter is subjoined a postscript , reiterating the above request . "[173-robert] " 7 . [We]5558-we call at [the Court]373-the court , and ask to see [the house]388-the house . [[[My]173-robert lady]468-my lady 's apartments]4831-my lady 's apartments are locked . "[173-robert] " 8 . [We]5558-we get at [the aforesaid apartments]5563-the aforesaid apartments by means of a secret passage , the existence of which is unknown to [[my]173-robert lady]468-my lady . In [one of [the rooms]803-the rooms]5565-one of the rooms [we]5558-we find [her]468-my lady portrait . "[173-robert] " 9 . [George]157-george is frightened at the storm . [His]157-george conduct is exceedingly strange for the rest of the evening . "[173-robert] " 10 . [George]157-george quite [himself]157-george again the following morning . [I]173-robert propose leaving [Audley Court]1-audley court immediately ; [he]157-george prefers remaining till the evening . "[173-robert] " 11 . [We]5558-we go out fishing . [George]157-george leaves [me]173-robert to go to [the Court]373-the court . "[173-robert] " 12 . The last positive information [I]173-robert can obtain of [him]157-george in [Essex]2-essex is at [the Court]373-the court , where [the servant]1203-the servant says [he]1203-the servant thinks [Mr. Talboys]157-george told [him]1203-the servant [he]1203-the servant would go and look for [[my]173-robert lady]468-my lady in [the grounds]5571-the grounds . "[173-robert] " 13 . [I]173-robert receive information about [him]157-george at [the station]1271-the station which may or may not be correct . "[173-robert] " 14 . [I]173-robert hear of [him]157-george positively once more at [Southampton]33-southampton , where , according to [[his]157-george father - in - law]5039-his father - in - law , [he]157-george had been for an hour on the previous night . "[173-robert] " 15 . The telegraphic message . "[173-robert] When [Robert Audley]173-robert had completed this brief record , which [he]173-robert drew up with great deliberation , and with frequent pauses for reflection , alterations and erasures , [he]173-robert sat for a long time contemplating the written page . At last [he]173-robert read it carefully over , stopping at some of the numbered paragraphs , and marking some of them with a pencil cross ; then [he]173-robert folded the sheet of foolscap , went over to a cabinet on the opposite side of [the room]595-the room , unlocked it , and placed the paper in that very pigeon - hole into which [he]173-robert had thrust [Alicia]149-alicia 's letter — the pigeon - hole marked Important . Having done this , [he]173-robert returned to [his]173-robert easy - chair by the fire , pushed away [his]173-robert desk , and lighted a cigar . " It 's as dark as midnight from first to last , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said ; " and the clew to the mystery must be found either at [Southampton]33-southampton or in [Essex]2-essex . Be it how it may , [my]173-robert mind is made up . [I]173-robert shall first go to [Audley Court]1-audley court , and look for [George Talboys]157-george in a narrow radius . "[173-robert] " [[Mr. George Talboys.—Any]208-mr. george talboys.—any person who has met [this gentleman since the 7th inst .]5575-this gentleman since the 7th inst . , or who possesses any information respecting [him]157-george subsequent to that date]5574-mr. george talboys.—any person who has met this gentleman since the 7th inst . , or who possesses any information respecting him subsequent to that date , will be liberally rewarded on communicating with A.Z. , 14 [Chancery Lane]51-chancery lane . "[173-robert] [Sir Michael Audley]146-sir michael read the above advertisement in the second column of the Times , as [he]173-robert sat at breakfast with [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady and [Alicia]149-alicia two or three days after [Robert]173-robert 's return to [town]864-town . " [[Robert]173-robert 's friend]5576-robert 's friend has not yet been heard of , then , "[465-the baronet] said [the baronet]465-the baronet , after reading the advertisement to [[his]465-the baronet wife]554-his wife and [daughter]1473-daughter . " As for that , "[465-the baronet] replied [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , " [I]465-the baronet can not help wondering that [any one]5101-any one can be silly enough to advertise for [him]173-robert . [The young man]667-the young man was evidently of a restless , roving disposition — a sort of [Bamfyld Moore Carew]184-moore of modern life , whom [no attraction could ever keep in one spot]5579-no attraction could ever keep in one spot . "[465-the baronet] Though the advertisement appeared three successive times , [the party at [the Court]373-the court]1475-the party at the court attached very little importance to [Mr. Talboys]157-george ' disappearance ; and after this one occasion [his]157-george name was never again mentioned by either [Sir Michael]146-sir michael , [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , or [Alicia]149-alicia . [Alicia Audley]149-alicia and [[her]149-alicia pretty stepmother]1478-her pretty stepmother were by no means [any better friends]1479-any better friends after that quiet evening on which [the young barrister]5094-the young barrister had dined at [the Court]373-the court . " [She]149-alicia is [a vain , frivolous , heartless little coquette]5580-a vain , frivolous , heartless little coquette , "[149-alicia] said [Alicia]149-alicia , addressing [herself]149-alicia to [her]149-alicia Newfoundland dog [Caesar]196-caesar , who was the sole recipient of [the young lady]5100-the young lady 's confidences ; " [she]149-alicia is [a practiced and consummate flirt]5581-a practiced and consummate flirt , [Caesar]196-caesar ; and not contented with setting [her]149-alicia yellow ringlets and [her]149-alicia silly giggle at [half the men in [Essex]2-essex]5582-half the men in essex , [she]149-alicia must needs make [that stupid cousin of mine]5583-that stupid cousin of mine dance attendance upon [her]149-alicia . [I]196-caesar have n't common patience with [her]149-alicia . "[196-caesar] In proof of which last assertion [Miss Alicia Audley]149-alicia treated [[her]149-alicia stepmother]1483-her stepmother with such very palpable impertinence that [Sir Michael]146-sir michael felt [himself]146-sir michael called upon to remonstrate with [[his]146-sir michael only daughter]1484-his only daughter . " [The poor little woman]5584-the poor little woman is very sensitive , [you]149-alicia know , [Alicia]149-alicia , "[465-the baronet] [the baronet]465-the baronet said , gravely , " and [she]5584-the poor little woman feels [your]149-alicia conduct most acutely . "[465-the baronet] " [I]149-alicia do n't believe it a bit , [papa]1002-papa , "[149-alicia] answered [Alicia]149-alicia , stoutly . " [You]1002-papa think [her]5584-the poor little woman sensitive because [she]5584-the poor little woman has soft little white hands , and big blue eyes with long lashes , and all manner of affected , fantastical ways , which [[you]1002-papa stupid men]5586-you stupid men call fascinating . Sensitive ! Why , [I]149-alicia 've seen [her]5584-the poor little woman do cruel things with those slender white fingers , and laugh at the pain [she]5584-the poor little woman inflicted . [I]149-alicia 'm very sorry , [papa]1002-papa , "[149-alicia] [she]149-alicia added , softened a little by [[her]149-alicia father]481-her father 's look of distress ; " though [she]5584-the poor little woman has come between [us]5588-us , and robbed poor [Alicia]149-alicia of the love of that dear , generous heart , [I]149-alicia wish [I]149-alicia could like [her]5584-the poor little woman for [your]1002-papa sake ; but [I]149-alicia ca n't , [I]149-alicia ca n't , and no more can [Caesar]196-caesar . [She]5584-the poor little woman came up to [him]481-her father once with [her]5584-the poor little woman red lips apart , and [her]5584-the poor little woman little white teeth glistening between them , and stroked [his]481-her father great head with [her]5584-the poor little woman soft hand ; but if [I]149-alicia had not had hold of [his]481-her father collar , [he]481-her father would have flown at [her]5584-the poor little woman throat and strangled [her]5584-the poor little woman . [She]5584-the poor little woman may bewitch [every man in [Essex]2-essex]5589-every man in essex , but [she]5584-the poor little woman 'd never make [friends]1050-friends with [my]149-alicia dog . "[149-alicia] " [Your]146-sir michael dog shall be shot , "[146-sir michael] answered [Sir Michael]146-sir michael angrily , " if [his]209-the newfoundland vicious temper ever endangers [Lucy]197-lucy . "[146-sir michael] [The Newfoundland]209-the newfoundland rolled [his]209-the newfoundland eyes slowly round in the direction of [the speaker]4906-the speaker , as if [he]209-the newfoundland understood every word that had been said . [Lady Audley]150-lady audley happened to enter [the room]595-the room at this very moment , and the animal cowered down by the side of [[his]209-the newfoundland mistress]1489-his mistress with a suppressed growl . There was something in the manner of the dog which was , if anything , more indicative of terror than of fury ; incredible as it appears that [Caesar]196-caesar should be frightened by so fragile a creature as [Lucy Audley]197-lucy . Amicable as was [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady 's nature , [she]468-my lady could not live long at [the Court]373-the court without discovering [Alicia]149-alicia 's dislike to [her]468-my lady . [She]468-my lady never alluded to it but once ; then , shrugging [her]468-my lady graceful white shoulders , [she]468-my lady said , with a sigh : " It seems very hard that [you]149-alicia can not love [me]468-my lady , [Alicia]149-alicia , for [I]468-my lady have never been used to make [enemies]5591-enemies ; but since it seems that it must be so , [I]468-my lady can not help it . If [we]5592-we can not be [friends]1050-friends , let [us]5592-we be neutral . [You]149-alicia wo n't try to injure [me]468-my lady ? "[468-my lady] " Injure [you]149-alicia ! "[149-alicia] exclaimed [Alicia]149-alicia ; " how should [I]468-my lady injure [you]149-alicia ? "[468-my lady] " [You]149-alicia 'll not try to deprive [me]468-my lady of [[your]149-alicia father]914-your father 's affection ? "[468-my lady] " [I]468-my lady may not be as amiable as [you]149-alicia are , [[my]468-my lady lady]468-my lady , and [I]468-my lady may not have the same sweet smiles and pretty words for [every stranger [I]468-my lady meet]5596-every stranger i meet , but [I]468-my lady am not capable of a contemptible meanness ; and even if [I]468-my lady were , [I]468-my lady think [you]149-alicia are so secure of [[my]468-my lady father]4643-my father 's love , that nothing but [your]149-alicia own act will ever deprive [you]149-alicia of it . "[468-my lady] " What a severe creature [you]149-alicia are , [Alicia]149-alicia ! "[468-my lady] said [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , making a little grimace . " [I]149-alicia suppose [you]149-alicia mean to infer by all that , that [I]149-alicia 'm deceitful . Why , [I]149-alicia ca n't help smiling at [people]572-people , and speaking prettily to [them]572-people . [I]149-alicia know [I]149-alicia 'm no better than [the rest of [the world]519-the world]5599-the rest of the world ; but [I]149-alicia ca n't help it if [I]149-alicia 'm pleasantér . It 's constitutional . "[149-alicia] [Alicia]149-alicia having thus entirely shut the door upon all intimacy between [Lady Audley]150-lady audley and [herself]150-lady audley , and [Sir Michael]146-sir michael being chiefly occupied in agricultural pursuits and manly sports , which kept [him]146-sir michael away from [home]479-home , it was perhaps natural that [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , being of an eminently social disposition , should find [herself]468-my lady thrown a good deal upon [her]468-my lady white - eyelashed maid for society . [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe was exactly the sort of [a girl who is generally promoted from the post of]1495-a girl who is generally promoted from the post of [lady 's maid to that of companion]1496-lady 's maid to that of companion . [She]166-phoebe had just sufficient education to enable [her]166-phoebe to understand [[her]166-phoebe mistress]1497-her mistress when [Lucy]197-lucy chose to allow [herself]197-lucy to run riot in a species of intellectual tarantella , in which [her]197-lucy tongue went mad to the sound of its own rattle , as [the Spanish dancer]1498-the spanish dancer at the noise of [[his]1498-the spanish dancer castanets]1499-his castanets . [Phoebe]166-phoebe knew enough of the French language to be able to dip into the yellow - paper - covered novels which [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady ordered from [the Burlington Arcade]1501-the burlington arcade , and to discourse with [[her]468-my lady mistress]1497-her mistress upon the questionable subjects of these romances . The likeness which [[the lady]673-the lady 's maid]1504-the lady 's maid bore to [Lucy Audley]197-lucy was , perhaps , a point of sympathy between [the two women]1218-the two women . It was not to be called a striking likeness ; [a stranger]1506-a stranger might have seen [them]1218-the two women both together , and yet have failed to remark it . But there were certain dim and shadowy lights in which , meeting [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe gliding softly through [the dark oak passages of [the Court]373-the court]1507-the dark oak passages of the court , or under the shrouded avenues in [the garden]452-the garden , [you]1510-you might have easily mistaken [her]166-phoebe for [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady . Sharp October winds were sweeping the leaves from the limes in [the long avenue]740-the long avenue , and driving them in withered heaps with a ghostly rustling noise along [the dry gravel walks]1513-the dry gravel walks . [The old well]742-the old well must have been half choked up with the leaves that drifted about it , and whirled in eddying circles into its black , broken mouth . On the still bosom of the fish - pond the same withered leaves slowly rotted away , mixing themselves with the tangled weeds that discolored the surface of [the water]403-the water . All [the gardeners]1516-the gardeners [Sir Michael]146-sir michael could employ could not keep the impress of autumn 's destroying hand from [the grounds about [the Court]373-the court]1517-the grounds about the court . " How [I]468-my lady hate this desolate month ! "[468-my lady] [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady said , as [she]468-my lady walked about [the garden]452-the garden , shivering beneath [her]468-my lady sable mantle . " Every thing dropping to ruin and decay , and the cold flicker of the sun lighting up the ugliness of [the earth]5601-the earth , as the glare of gas - lamps lights the wrinkles of [an old woman]5602-an old woman . Shall [I]468-my lady ever grow old , [Phoebe]166-phoebe ? Will [my]468-my lady hair ever drop off as the leaves are falling from those trees , and leave [me]468-my lady wan and bare like them ? What is to become of [me]468-my lady when [I]468-my lady grow old ? "[468-my lady] [She]468-my lady shivered at the thought of this more than [she]468-my lady had done at the cold , wintry breeze , and muffling [herself]468-my lady closely in [her]468-my lady fur , walked so fast that [[her]468-my lady maid]761-her maid had some difficulty in keeping up with [her]468-my lady . " Do [you]166-phoebe remember , [Phoebe]166-phoebe , "[468-my lady] [she]468-my lady said , presently , relaxing [her]468-my lady pace , " do [you]166-phoebe remember that French story [we]5603-we read — the story of [a beautiful woman who had committed some crime]5604-a beautiful woman who had committed some crime — [I]468-my lady forget what — in the zenith of [her]5604-a beautiful woman who had committed some crime power and loveliness , when all [Paris]52-paris drank to [her]5604-a beautiful woman who had committed some crime every night , and when [the people]5605-the people ran away from [the carriage of [the king]5607-the king]5606-the carriage of the king to flock about [hers]5604-a beautiful woman who had committed some crime , and get a peep at [her]5604-a beautiful woman who had committed some crime face ? Do [you]166-phoebe remember how [she]5604-a beautiful woman who had committed some crime kept the secret of what [she]5604-a beautiful woman who had committed some crime had done for nearly half a century , spending [her]5604-a beautiful woman who had committed some crime old age in [[her]5604-a beautiful woman who had committed some crime family chateau]5608-her family chateau , beloved and honored by all [the province]5609-the province as [an uncanonized saint]5610-an uncanonized saint and benefactress to [the poor]520-the poor ; and how , when [her]5604-a beautiful woman who had committed some crime hair was white , and [her]5604-a beautiful woman who had committed some crime eyes almost blind with age , the secret was revealed through one of those strange accidents by which such secrets always are revealed in romances , and [she]5604-a beautiful woman who had committed some crime was tried , found guilty , and condemned to be burned alive ? [The king who had worn [her]5604-a beautiful woman who had committed some crime colors]5612-the king who had worn her colors was dead and gone ; [the court of which [she]5604-a beautiful woman who had committed some crime had been a star]5613-the court of which she had been a star had passed away ; [powerful functionaries]5614-powerful functionaries and [great magistrates]5615-great magistrates , who might perhaps have helped [her]5604-a beautiful woman who had committed some crime , were moldering in the graves ; [brave young cavaliers]5616-brave young cavaliers , who would have died for [her]5604-a beautiful woman who had committed some crime , had fallen upon [distant battle - fields]5617-distant battle - fields ; [she]5604-a beautiful woman who had committed some crime had lived to see the age to which [she]5604-a beautiful woman who had committed some crime had belonged fade like a dream ; and [she]5604-a beautiful woman who had committed some crime went to the stake , followed by only [a few ignorant country people , who forgot all [her]5604-a beautiful woman who had committed some crime bounties]5618-a few ignorant country people , who forgot all her bounties , and hooted at [her]5604-a beautiful woman who had committed some crime for [a wicked sorceress]5619-a wicked sorceress . "[468-my lady] " [I]166-phoebe do n't care for such dismal stories , [[my]166-phoebe lady]468-my lady , "[166-phoebe] said [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe with a shudder . " [One]5487-one has no need to read books to give one the horrors in [this dull place]5622-this dull place . "[166-phoebe] [Lady Audley]150-lady audley shrugged [her]150-lady audley shoulders and laughed at [[her]150-lady audley maid]761-her maid 's candor . " It is [a dull place]5623-a dull place , [Phoebe]166-phoebe , "[150-lady audley] [she]150-lady audley said , " though it does n't do to say so to [[my]150-lady audley dear old husband]5624-my dear old husband . Though [I]150-lady audley am [the wife of one of [the most influential men in [the county]379-the county]5626-the most influential men in the county]5625-the wife of one of the most influential men in the county , [I]150-lady audley do n't know that [I]150-lady audley was n't nearly as well off at [Mr. Dawson]151-mr. dawson 's ; and yet it 's something to wear sables that cost sixty guineas , and have a thousand pounds spent on the decoration of [one 's apartments]5628-one 's apartments . "[150-lady audley] Treated as [a companion]1523-a companion by [[her]150-lady audley mistress]1497-her mistress , in the receipt of the most liberal wages , and with perquisites such as [perhaps [lady]1526-lady 's maid]1525-perhaps lady 's maid never had before , it was strange that [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe should wish to leave [her]166-phoebe situation ; but it was not the less a fact that [she]166-phoebe was anxious to exchange all the advantages of [Audley Court]1-audley court for the very unpromising prospect which awaited [her]166-phoebe as [the wife of [[her]166-phoebe Cousin]790-her cousin [Luke]167-luke]1527-the wife of her cousin luke . [The young man]667-the young man had contrived in some manner to associate [himself]667-the young man with the improved fortunes of [[his]667-the young man sweetheart]1530-his sweetheart . [He]667-the young man had never allowed [Phoebe]166-phoebe any peace till [she]166-phoebe had obtained for [him]667-the young man , by the aid of [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady 's interference , a situation as undergroom of [the Court]373-the court . [He]667-the young man never rode out with either [Alicia]149-alicia or [Sir Michael]146-sir michael ; but on one of the few occasions upon which [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady mounted the pretty little gray thoroughbred reserved for [her]166-phoebe use , [he]667-the young man contrived to attend [her]166-phoebe in [her]166-phoebe ride . [He]667-the young man saw enough , in the very first half hour [they]1534-they were out , to discover that , graceful as [Lucy Audley]197-lucy might look in [her]197-lucy long blue cloth habit , [she]197-lucy was [a timid horsewoman]1535-a timid horsewoman , and utterly unable to manage the animal [she]197-lucy rode . [Lady Audley]150-lady audley remonstrated with [[her]150-lady audley maid]761-her maid upon [her]150-lady audley folly in wishing to marry [the uncouth groom]1537-the uncouth groom . [The two women]1218-the two women were seated together over the fire in [[[my]0-i lady]468-my lady 's dressing - room]1137-my lady 's dressing - room , the gray sky closing in upon the October afternoon , and the black tracery of ivy darkening the casement windows . " [You]753-the girl surely are not in love with [the awkward , ugly creature]5629-the awkward , ugly creature are [you]753-the girl , [Phoebe]166-phoebe ? "[468-my lady] asked [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady sharply . [The girl]753-the girl was sitting on a low stool at [her]753-the girl mistress feet . [She]753-the girl did not answer [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady 's question immediately , but sat for some time looking vacantly into the red abyss in the hollow fire . Presently [she]753-the girl said , rather as if [she]753-the girl had been thinking aloud than answering [Lucy]197-lucy 's question : " [I]753-the girl do n't think [I]753-the girl can love [him]5629-the awkward , ugly creature . [We]5630-we have been together from [children]5631-children , and [I]753-the girl promised , when [I]753-the girl was little better than fifteen , that [I]753-the girl 'd be [[his]5629-the awkward , ugly creature wife]554-his wife . [I]753-the girl dare n't break that promise now . There have been times when [I]753-the girl 've made up the very sentence [I]753-the girl meant to say to [him]5629-the awkward , ugly creature , telling [him]5629-the awkward , ugly creature that [I]753-the girl could n't keep [my]753-the girl faith with [him]5629-the awkward , ugly creature ; but the words have died upon [my]753-the girl lips , and [I]753-the girl 've sat looking at [him]5629-the awkward , ugly creature , with a choking sensation , in [my]753-the girl throat that would n't let [me]753-the girl speak . [I]753-the girl dare n't refuse to marry [him]5629-the awkward , ugly creature . [I]753-the girl 've often watched and watched [him]5629-the awkward , ugly creature , as [he]5629-the awkward , ugly creature has sat slicing away at a hedge - stake with [his]5629-the awkward , ugly creature great clasp - knife , till [I]753-the girl have thought that it is just [such men as [he]5629-the awkward , ugly creature who have decoyed [[their]5633-such men as he who have decoyed their sweethearts into lonely places , and murdered them for being false to their word sweethearts]5634-their sweethearts into [lonely places]5635-lonely places , and murdered [them]5634-their sweethearts for being false to [their]5633-such men as he who have decoyed their sweethearts into lonely places , and murdered them for being false to their word word]5633-such men as he who have decoyed their sweethearts into lonely places , and murdered them for being false to their word . When [he]5629-the awkward , ugly creature was [a boy]472-a boy [he]5629-the awkward , ugly creature was always violent and revengeful . [I]753-the girl saw [him]5629-the awkward , ugly creature once take up that very knife in a quarrel with [[his]5629-the awkward , ugly creature mother]533-his mother . [I]753-the girl tell [you]197-lucy , [[my]753-the girl lady]468-my lady , [I]753-the girl must marry [him]5629-the awkward , ugly creature . "[753-the girl] " [[You]197-lucy silly girl]5639-you silly girl , [you]197-lucy shall do nothing of the kind ! "[197-lucy] answered [Lucy]197-lucy . " [You]197-lucy think [he]5629-the awkward , ugly creature 'll murder [you]197-lucy , do [you]197-lucy ? Do [you]197-lucy think , then , if murder is in [him]5629-the awkward , ugly creature , [you]197-lucy would be any safer as [[his]5629-the awkward , ugly creature wife]554-his wife ? If [you]197-lucy thwarted [him]5629-the awkward , ugly creature , or made [him]5629-the awkward , ugly creature jealous ; if [he]5629-the awkward , ugly creature wanted to marry [another woman]5641-another woman , or to get hold of some poor , pitiful bit of money of [yours]197-lucy , could n't [he]5629-the awkward , ugly creature murder [you]197-lucy then ? [I]166-phoebe tell [you]197-lucy [you]197-lucy sha'n't marry [him]5629-the awkward , ugly creature , [Phoebe]166-phoebe . In the first place [I]166-phoebe hate [the man]634-the man ; and , in the next place [I]166-phoebe ca n't afford to part with [you]197-lucy . [We]5643-we 'll give [him]5629-the awkward , ugly creature a few pounds and send [him]5629-the awkward , ugly creature about [his]5629-the awkward , ugly creature business . "[166-phoebe] [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe caught [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady 's hand in [hers]166-phoebe , and clasped them convulsively . " [[My]166-phoebe lady]468-my lady — [[my]166-phoebe good , kind mistress]5645-my good , kind mistress ! "[166-phoebe] [she]166-phoebe cried , vehemently , " do n't try to thwart [me]166-phoebe in this — don't ask [me]166-phoebe to thwart [him]5629-the awkward , ugly creature . [I]166-phoebe tell [you]197-lucy [I]166-phoebe must marry [him]5629-the awkward , ugly creature . [You]197-lucy do n't know what [he]5629-the awkward , ugly creature is . It will be [my]166-phoebe ruin , and the ruin of others , if [I]166-phoebe break [my]166-phoebe word . [I]166-phoebe must marry [him]5629-the awkward , ugly creature ! "[166-phoebe] " Very well , then , [Phoebe]166-phoebe , "[1497-her mistress] answered [[her]166-phoebe mistress]1497-her mistress , " [I]1497-her mistress ca n't oppose [you]166-phoebe . There must be some secret at the bottom of all this . "[1497-her mistress] " There is , [[my]753-the girl lady]468-my lady , "[753-the girl] said [the girl]753-the girl , with [her]753-the girl face turned away from [Lucy]197-lucy . " [I]753-the girl shall be very sorry to lose [you]166-phoebe ; but [I]753-the girl have promised to stand [[your]166-phoebe friend]5065-your friend in all things . What does [[your]166-phoebe cousin]5648-your cousin mean to do for a living when [you]166-phoebe are married ? "[753-the girl] " [He]5648-your cousin would like to take [a public house]5649-a public house . "[1497-her mistress] " Then [he]5648-your cousin shall take [a public house]5649-a public house , and the sooner [he]5648-your cousin drinks [himself]5648-your cousin to death the better . [Sir Michael]146-sir michael dines at [a bachelor]5651-a bachelor 's party at [[Major Margrave]210-major margrave 's]5652-major margrave 's this evening , and [[my]753-the girl step - daughter]5653-my step - daughter is away with [[her]5653-my step - daughter friends]5654-her friends at [the Grange]5655-the grange . [You]166-phoebe can bring [[your]166-phoebe cousin]5648-your cousin into [the drawing - room]467-the drawing - room after dinner , and [I]753-the girl 'll tell [him]5648-your cousin what [I]753-the girl mean to do for [him]5648-your cousin . "[753-the girl] " [You]166-phoebe are very good , [[my]166-phoebe lady]468-my lady , "[166-phoebe] [Phoebe]166-phoebe answered with a sigh . [Lady Audley]150-lady audley sat in the glow of firelight and wax candles in [the luxurious drawing - room]1547-the luxurious drawing - room ; the amber damask cushions of the sofa contrasting with [her]150-lady audley dark violet velvet dress , and [her]150-lady audley rippling hair falling about [her]150-lady audley neck in a golden haze . Everywhere around [her]150-lady audley were the evidences of wealth and splendor ; while in strange contrast to all this , and to [her]150-lady audley own beauty ; [the awkward groom]1548-the awkward groom stood rubbing [his]1548-the awkward groom bullet head as [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady explained to [him]1548-the awkward groom what [she]468-my lady intended to do for [[her]468-my lady confidential maid]1550-her confidential maid . [Lucy]197-lucy 's promises were very liberal , and [she]197-lucy had expected that , uncouth as [the man]634-the man was , [he]634-the man would , in [his]634-the man own rough manner , have expressed [his]634-the man gratitude . To [her]197-lucy surprise [he]634-the man stood staring at the floor without uttering a word in answer to [her]197-lucy offer . [Phoebe]166-phoebe was standing close to [his]634-the man elbow , and seemed distressed at [the man]634-the man 's rudeness . " Tell [[my]166-phoebe lady]468-my lady how thankful [you]634-the man are , [Luke]167-luke , "[166-phoebe] [she]166-phoebe said . " But [I]166-phoebe 'm not so over and above thankful , "[166-phoebe] answered [[her]197-lucy lover]785-her lover , savagely . " Fifty pound ai n't much to start a public . [You]166-phoebe 'll make it a hundred , [[my]166-phoebe lady]468-my lady ? "[166-phoebe] " [I]150-lady audley shall do nothing of the kind , "[150-lady audley] said [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , [her]150-lady audley clear blue eyes flashing with indignation , " and [I]150-lady audley wonder at [your]634-the man impertinence in asking it . "[150-lady audley] " Oh , yes , [you]166-phoebe will , though , "[167-luke] answered [Luke]167-luke , with quiet insolence that had a hidden meaning . " [You]166-phoebe 'll make it a hundred , [[my]167-luke lady]468-my lady . "[167-luke] [Lady Audley]150-lady audley rose from [her]150-lady audley seat , looked [the man]634-the man steadfastly in the face till [his]634-the man determined gaze sunk under [hers]150-lady audley ; then walking straight up to [[her]150-lady audley maid]761-her maid , [she]150-lady audley said in a high , piercing voice , peculiar to [her]150-lady audley in moments of intense agitation : " [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe , [you]166-phoebe have told [this man]4719-this man ! "[150-lady audley] [The girl]753-the girl fell on [her]753-the girl knees at [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady 's feet . " Oh , forgive [me]150-lady audley , forgive [me]150-lady audley ! "[150-lady audley] [she]150-lady audley cried . " [He]4719-this man forced it from [me]150-lady audley , or [I]150-lady audley would never , never have told ! "[150-lady audley] Upon a lowering morning late in November , with the yellow fog low upon [the flat meadows]1558-the flat meadows , and the blinded cattle groping [their]1559-their way through the dim obscurity , and blundering stupidly against black and leafless hedges , or stumbling into ditches , undistinguishable in the hazy atmosphere ; with [the village church]1560-the village church looming brown and dingy through the uncertain light ; with every winding path and cottage door , every gable end and gray old chimney , [every village child]1561-every village child and straggling cur seeming strange and weird of aspect in the semi - darkness , [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe and [[her]166-phoebe Cousin]790-her cousin [Luke]167-luke made [their]1563-their way through [the churchyard of Audley]1564-the churchyard of audley , and presented [themselves]1563-their before [a shivering curate , whose surplice hung in damp folds , soddened by the morning mist]1565-a shivering curate , whose surplice hung in damp folds , soddened by the morning mist , and whose temper was not improved by [his]1565-a shivering curate , whose surplice hung in damp folds , soddened by the morning mist having waited five minutes for [the bride]1566-the bride and [bridegroom]1567-bridegroom . [Luke Marks]167-luke , dressed in [his]167-luke ill - fitting Sunday clothes , looked by no means handsomer than in [his]167-luke every - day apparel ; but [Phoebe]166-phoebe , arrayed in a rustling silk of delicate gray , that had been worn about half a dozen times by [[her]166-phoebe mistress]1497-her mistress , looked , as [the few spectators of the ceremony]1569-the few spectators of the ceremony remarked , " quite [the lady]673-the lady . "[1570-a very dim and shadowy lady , vague of outline , and faint of coloring , with eyes , hair , complexion and dress all melting into such pale and uncertain shades] [A very dim and shadowy lady , vague of outline , and faint of coloring , with eyes , hair , complexion and dress all melting into such pale and uncertain shades]1570-a very dim and shadowy lady , vague of outline , and faint of coloring , with eyes , hair , complexion and dress all melting into such pale and uncertain shades that , in the obscure light of the foggy November morning [a superstitious stranger]1571-a superstitious stranger might have mistaken [the bride]1566-the bride for the ghost of [some other bride]1573-some other bride , dead and buried in [the vault below [the church]535-the church]1574-the vault below the church . [Mr. Luke Marks]167-luke , [the hero of the occasion]1576-the hero of the occasion , thought very little of all this . [He]167-luke had secured [the wife of]1577-the wife of [his]167-luke choice , and the object of [his]167-luke life - long ambition — [a public house]5649-a public house . [[My]0-i lady]468-my lady had provided the seventy - five pounds necessary for the purchase of the good - will and fixtures , with the stock of ales and spirits , of [a small inn in [the center of [a lonely little village]1582-a lonely little village]1581-the center of a lonely little village]1580-a small inn in the center of a lonely little village , perched on [the summit of [a hill]1584-a hill]1583-the summit of a hill , and called [Mount Stanning]69-mount stanning . [It]1585-it was not [a very pretty house to look at]1586-a very pretty house to look at ; [it]1585-it had something of a tumble - down , weather - beaten appearance , standing , as [it]1585-it did , upon high ground , sheltered only by four or five bare and overgrown poplars , that had shot up too rapidly for [their]1587-their strength , and had a blighted , forlorn look in consequence . The wind had had its own way with [the Castle Inn]54-the castle inn , and had sometimes made cruel use of [its]1585-it power . It was the wind that battered and bent the low , thatched roofs of [outhouses]1588-outhouses and [stables]1589-stables , till they hung over and lurched forward , as a slouched hat hangs over the low forehead of [some village ruffian]1590-some village ruffian ; it was the wind that shook and rattled the wooden shutters before the narrow casements , till they hung broken and dilapidated upon their rusty hinges ; it was the wind that overthrew [the pigeon house]1591-the pigeon house , and broke the vane that had been imprudently set up to tell the movements of its mightiness ; it was the wind that made light of any little bit of wooden trellis - work , or creeping plant , or tiny balcony , or any modest decoration whatsoever , and tore and scattered it in its scornful fury ; it was the wind that left mossy secretions on the discolored surface of the plaster walls ; it was the wind , in short , that shattered , and ruined , and rent , and trampled upon the tottering pile of [buildings]1592-buildings , and then flew shrieking off , to riot and glory in its destroying strength . [The dispirited proprietor]1593-the dispirited proprietor grew tired of [his]1593-the dispirited proprietor long struggle with [this mighty enemy]1594-this mighty enemy ; so the wind was left to work [its]1585-it own will , and [the Castle Inn]1595-the castle inn fell slowly to decay . But for all that [it]1585-it suffered without , it was not the less prosperous within doors . [Sturdy drovers]1596-sturdy drovers stopped to drink at [the little bar]1597-the little bar ; [well - to - do farmers]1598-well - to - do farmers spent [their]1598-well - to - do farmers evenings and talked politics in [the low , wainscoted parlor]1599-the low , wainscoted parlor , while [their]1598-well - to - do farmers horses munched some suspicious mixture of moldy hay and tolerable beans in [the tumble - down stables]1600-the tumble - down stables . Sometimes even [the members of the Audley hunt]1601-the members of the audley hunt stopped to drink and bait [their]1601-the members of the audley hunt horses at [the Castle Inn]1595-the castle inn ; while , on one grand and never - to - be - forgotten occasion , a dinner had been ordered by [the master of the hounds]1603-the master of the hounds for [some thirty gentlemen]1604-some thirty gentlemen , and [the proprietor]1605-the proprietor driven nearly mad by the importance of the demand . So [Luke Marks]167-luke , who was by no means troubled with an eye for the beautiful , thought [himself]167-luke very fortunate in becoming [the landlord of [the Castle Inn]54-the castle inn]1606-the landlord of the castle inn , [Mount Stanning]69-mount stanning . [A chaise - cart]1607-a chaise - cart was waiting in the fog to convey [the bride]1566-the bride and [bridegroom]1567-bridegroom to [[their]1610-their new home]1611-their new home ; and [a few of [the villagers]1613-the villagers , who had known [Phoebe]166-phoebe from [a child]4759-a child]1612-a few of the villagers , who had known phoebe from a child , were lingering around [the churchyard]898-the churchyard gate to bid [her]166-phoebe good - by . [Her]166-phoebe pale eyes were still paler from the tears [she]166-phoebe had shed , and the red rims which surrounded them . [The bridegroom]1616-the bridegroom was annoyed at this exhibition of emotion . " What are [you]166-phoebe blubbering for , [lass]4779-lass ? "[1567-bridegroom] [he]1567-bridegroom said , fiercely . " If [you]166-phoebe did n't want to marry [me]1567-bridegroom [you]166-phoebe should have told [me]1567-bridegroom so . [I]1567-bridegroom ai n't going to murder [you]166-phoebe , am [I]1567-bridegroom ? "[1567-bridegroom] [[The lady]673-the lady 's maid]1504-the lady 's maid shivered as [he]1567-bridegroom spoke to [her]1504-the lady 's maid , and dragged [her]1504-the lady 's maid little silk mantle closely around [her]1504-the lady 's maid . " [You]1504-the lady 's maid 're cold in all this here finery , "[167-luke] said [Luke]167-luke , staring at [her]1504-the lady 's maid costly dress with no expression of good - will . " Why ca n't [women]4642-women dress according to [their]4642-women station ? [You]1504-the lady 's maid wo n't have no silk gownds out of [my]1567-bridegroom pocket , [I]1567-bridegroom can tell [you]1504-the lady 's maid . "[1567-bridegroom] [He]1567-bridegroom lifted [the shivering girl]1619-the shivering girl into the chaise , wrapped a rough great - coat about [her]1619-the shivering girl , and drove off through the yellow fog , followed by a feeble cheer from [two or three urchins clustered around the gate]1620-two or three urchins clustered around the gate . [A new maid]1621-a new maid was brought from [London]3-london to replace [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe about [the person of [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady]1622-the person of my lady — [a very showy damsel , who wore a black satin gown , and rose - colored ribbons in [her]468-my lady cap , and complained bitterly of the dullness of [Audley Court]1-audley court]1624-a very showy damsel , who wore a black satin gown , and rose - colored ribbons in her cap , and complained bitterly of the dullness of audley court . But [Christmas]211-christmas brought [visitors]400-visitors to [the rambling old mansion]1626-the rambling old mansion . [A country squire]1627-a country squire and [[his]1627-a country squire fat wife]1628-his fat wife occupied [the tapestried chamber]1629-the tapestried chamber ; [merry girls]1630-merry girls scampered up and down [the long passages]1631-the long passages , and [young men]1632-young men stared out of the latticed windows , watching for southerly winds and cloudy skies ; there was not an empty stall in [the roomy old stables]1633-the roomy old stables ; an extempore forge had been set up in [the yard]1634-the yard for the shoeing of [hunters]1635-hunters ; yelping dogs made [the place]385-the place noisy with [their]1637-their perpetual clamor ; [strange servants]1638-strange servants herded together on [the garret story]1639-the garret story ; and every little casement hidden away under some pointed gable , and every dormer window in the quaint old roof , glimmered upon the winter 's night with its separate taper , till , coming suddenly upon [Audley Court]1-audley court , [the benighted stranger , misled by the light , and noise , and bustle of]1640-the benighted stranger , misled by the light , and noise , and bustle of [the place]385-the place , might have easily fallen into [young Marlowe]212-young marlowe 's error , and have mistaken [the hospitable mansion]1642-the hospitable mansion for [a good , old - fashioned inn]1643-a good , old - fashioned inn , such as have faded from [this earth]1644-this earth since [the last mail coach and prancing tits]1645-the last mail coach and prancing tits took [their]1645-the last mail coach and prancing tits last melancholy journey to [the knacker 's yard]1646-the knacker 's yard . Among other visitors [Mr. Robert Audley]173-robert came down to [Essex]2-essex for the hunting season , with half a dozen French novels , a case of cigars , and three pounds of Turkish tobacco in [his]173-robert portmanteau . [The honest young country squires]1647-the honest young country squires , who talked all breakfast time of Flying Dutchman fillies and Voltigeur colts ; of glorious runs of seven hours ' hard riding over [three counties]1648-three counties , and a midnight homeward ride of thirty miles upon [their]1647-the honest young country squires covert hacks ; and who ran away from the well - spread table with [their]1647-the honest young country squires mouths full of cold sirloin , to look at that off pastern , or that sprained forearm , or the colt that had just come back from [the veterinary surgeon]1649-the veterinary surgeon 's , set down [Robert Audley]173-robert , dawdling over a slice of bread and marmalade , as [a person utterly unworthy of any remark whatsoever]1650-a person utterly unworthy of any remark whatsoever . [The young barrister]5094-the young barrister had brought a couple of dogs with [him]173-robert ; and [the country gentleman who gave fifty pounds for a pointer]1652-the country gentleman who gave fifty pounds for a pointer ; and traveled a couple of hundred miles to look at a leash of setters before [he]173-robert struck a bargain , laughed aloud at [the two miserable curs]1653-the two miserable curs , one of which had followed [Robert Audley]173-robert through [Chancery Lane]51-chancery lane , and half [the length of [Holborn]55-holborn]1654-the length of holborn ; while [[his]173-robert companion]466-his companion had been taken by [the barrister vi et armis]1656-the barrister vi et armis from [a coster - monger who was ill - using [him]173-robert]1657-a coster - monger who was ill - using him . And as [Robert]173-robert furthermore insisted on having these two deplorable animals under [his]173-robert easy - chair in [the drawing - room]467-the drawing - room , much to the annoyance of [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , who , as [we]1660-we know , hated all dogs , [the visitors at [Audley Court]1-audley court]1661-the visitors at audley court looked upon [[the baronet]465-the baronet 's nephew]4893-the baronet 's nephew as [an inoffensive species of maniac]1664-an inoffensive species of maniac . During other visits to [the Court]373-the court [Robert Audley]173-robert had made a feeble show of joining in the sports of the merry assembly . [He]173-robert had jogged across half [a dozen ploughed fields]1666-a dozen ploughed fields on [a quiet gray pony of [Sir Michael]146-sir michael 's]1667-a quiet gray pony of sir michael 's , and drawing up breathless and panting at the door of [some farm - house]1668-some farm - house , had expressed [his]173-robert intention of following the hounds no further that morning . [He]173-robert had even gone so far as to put on , with great labor , a pair of skates , with a view to taking a turn on the frozen surface of [the fishpond]1669-the fishpond , and had fallen ignominously at the first attempt , lying placidly extended on the flat of [his]173-robert back until such time as [the bystanders]1670-the bystanders should think fit to pick [him]173-robert up . [He]173-robert had occupied the back seat in [a dog - cart]1235-a dog - cart during a pleasant morning drive , vehemently protesting against being taken up [hill]1672-hill , and requiring [the vehicle]1673-the vehicle to be stopped every ten minutes in order to readjust the cushions . But this year [he]173-robert showed no inclination for any of these outdoor amusements , and [he]173-robert spent [his]173-robert time entirely in lounging in [the drawing - room]467-the drawing - room , and making [himself]173-robert agreeable , after [his]173-robert own lazy fashion , to [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady and [Alicia]149-alicia . [Lady Audley]150-lady audley received [[her]150-lady audley nephew]5188-her nephew 's attentions in that graceful half - childish fashion which [[her]150-lady audley admirers]1677-her admirers found so charming ; but [Alicia]149-alicia was indignant at the change in [[her]149-alicia cousin]790-her cousin 's conduct . " [You]173-robert were always [a poor , spiritless fellow]5666-a poor , spiritless fellow , [Bob]174-bob , "[5100-the young lady] said [the young lady]5100-the young lady , contemptuously , as [she]5100-the young lady bounced into [the drawing - room]467-the drawing - room in [her]5100-the young lady riding - habit , after a hunting breakfast , from which [Robert]173-robert had absented [himself]173-robert , preferring a cup of tea in [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady 's boudoir ; " but this year [I]5100-the young lady do n't know what has come to [you]173-robert . [You]173-robert are good for nothing but to hold a skein of silk or read [Tennyson]213-tennyson to [Lady Audley]150-lady audley . "[5100-the young lady] " [[My]667-the young man dear]4626-my dear , hasty , impetuous [Alicia]149-alicia , do n't be violent , "[667-the young man] said [the young man]667-the young man imploringly . " A conclusion is n't a five - barred gate ; and [you]173-robert need n't give [your]173-robert judgment its head , as [you]173-robert give [your]173-robert mare Atalanta [hers]5668-hers , when [you]173-robert 're flying across country at the heels of an unfortunate fox . [Lady Audley]150-lady audley interests [me]667-the young man , and [[my]667-the young man uncle 's county friends]5669-my uncle 's county friends do not . Is that a sufficient answer , [Alicia]149-alicia ? "[667-the young man] [Miss Audley]149-alicia gave [her]149-alicia head a little scornful toss . " It 's as good an answer as [I]149-alicia shall ever get from , [you]667-the young man , [Bob]174-bob , "[149-alicia] [she]149-alicia said , impatiently ; " but pray amuse [yourself]667-the young man in [your]667-the young man own way ; loll in an easy - chair all day , with those two absurd dogs asleep on [your]667-the young man knees ; spoil [[my]149-alicia lady]468-my lady 's window - curtains with [your]667-the young man cigars and annoy [everybody in [the house]388-the house]5671-everybody in the house with [your]667-the young man stupid , inanimate countenance . "[149-alicia] [Mr. Robert Audley]173-robert opened [his]173-robert handsome gray eyes to [their]1683-their widest extent at this tirade , and looked helplessly at [Miss Alicia]149-alicia . [The young lady]5100-the young lady was walking up and down [the room]595-the room , slashing the skirt of [her]5100-the young lady habit with [her]5100-the young lady riding - whip . [Her]5100-the young lady eyes sparkled with an angry flash , and a crimson glow burned under [her]5100-the young lady clear brown skin . [The young barrister]5094-the young barrister knew very well , by these diagnostics , that [[his]5094-the young barrister cousin]786-his cousin was in a passion . " Yes , "[5100-the young lady] [she]5100-the young lady repeated , " [your]667-the young man stupid , inanimate countenance . Do [you]667-the young man know , [Robert Audley]173-robert , that with all [your]667-the young man mock amiability , [you]667-the young man are brimful of conceit and superciliousness . [You]667-the young man look down upon [our]5673-our amusements ; [you]667-the young man lift up [your]667-the young man eyebrows , and shrug [your]667-the young man shoulders , and throw [yourself]667-the young man back in [your]667-the young man chair , and wash [your]667-the young man hands of [us]5673-our and [our]5673-our pleasures . [You]667-the young man are [a selfish , cold - hearted Sybarite]5674-a selfish , cold - hearted sybarite — "[5100-the young lady] " [Alicia]149-alicia ! Good — gracious — [me]5100-the young lady ! "[5100-the young lady] The morning paper dropped out of [his]1688-his hands , and [he]1688-his sat feebly staring at [[his]1688-his assailant]1689-his assailant . " Yes , selfish , [Robert Audley]173-robert ! [You]667-the young man take [home]479-home half - starved dogs , because [you]667-the young man like half - starved dogs . [You]667-the young man stoop down , and pat the head of [every good - for - nothing cur in [the village street]5164-the village street]5676-every good - for - nothing cur in the village street , because [you]667-the young man like [good - for - nothing curs]5678-good - for - nothing curs . [You]667-the young man notice [little children]5679-little children , and give [them]5679-little children halfpence , because it amuses [you]667-the young man to do so . But [you]667-the young man lift [your]667-the young man eyebrows a quarter of a yard when poor [Sir Harry Towers]214-sir harry towers tells a stupid story , and stare [the poor fellow]5680-the poor fellow out of countenance with [your]667-the young man lazy insolence . As to [your]667-the young man amiability , [you]667-the young man would let [a man]445-a man hit [you]667-the young man , and say ' Thank [you]667-the young man ' for the blow , rather than take the trouble to hit [him]445-a man again ; but [you]667-the young man would n't go half a mile out of [your]667-the young man way to serve [[your]667-the young man dearest friend]5682-your dearest friend . [Sir Harry]214-sir harry towers is worth twenty of [you]667-the young man , though [he]214-sir harry towers did write to ask if [[my]1688-his m - a - i - r [Atalanta]45-atalanta]5683-my m - a - i - r atalanta had recovered from the sprain . [He]214-sir harry towers ca n't spell , or lift [his]214-sir harry towers eyebrows to the roots of [his]214-sir harry towers hair ; but [he]214-sir harry towers would go through fire and water for [the girl [he]214-sir harry towers loves]5684-the girl he loves ; while [you]667-the young man — "[1688-his] At this very point , when [Robert]173-robert was most prepared to encounter [[his]173-robert cousin]786-his cousin 's violence , and when [Miss Alicia]149-alicia seemed about to make [her]149-alicia strongest attack , [the young lady]5100-the young lady broke down altogether , and burst into tears . [Robert]173-robert sprang from [his]173-robert easy - chair , upsetting [his]173-robert dogs on the carpet . " [Alicia]149-alicia , [[my]173-robert darling]4709-my darling , what is it ? "[173-robert] " It's — it's — it 's the feather of [my]786-his cousin hat that got into [my]786-his cousin eyes , "[786-his cousin] sobbed [[his]173-robert cousin]786-his cousin ; and before [he]173-robert could investigate the truth of this assertion [Alicia]149-alicia had darted out of [the room]595-the room . [Robert Audley]173-robert was preparing to follow [her]149-alicia , when [he]173-robert heard [her]149-alicia voice in [the court - yard below]1694-the court - yard below , amidst the tramping of horses and the clamor of [visitors]400-visitors , dogs , and [grooms]4978-grooms . [Sir Harry Towers]214-sir harry towers , [the most aristocratic young sportsman in [the neighborhood]504-the neighborhood]1697-the most aristocratic young sportsman in the neighborhood , had just taken [her]149-alicia little foot in [his]214-sir harry towers hand as [she]149-alicia sprung into [her]149-alicia saddle . " Good Heaven ! "[173-robert] exclaimed [Robert]173-robert , as [he]173-robert watched the merry party of equestrians until [they]1699-they disappeared under the archway . " What does all this mean ? How charmingly [she]149-alicia sits [her]149-alicia horse ! What [a pretty figure]5686-a pretty figure , too , and [a fine , candid , brown , rosy face]5687-a fine , candid , brown , rosy face : but to fly at [a fellow like that , without the least provocation]5688-a fellow like that , without the least provocation ! That 's the consequence of letting [a girl]750-a girl follow the hounds . [She]149-alicia learns to look at everything in life as [she]149-alicia does at six feet of timber or a sunk fence ; [she]149-alicia goes through [the world]519-the world as [she]149-alicia goes across [country]5691-country — straight ahead , and over everything . Such [a nice girl]5692-a nice girl as [she]149-alicia might have been , too , if [she]149-alicia 'd been brought up in [Figtree Court]14-figtree court ! If ever [I]173-robert marry , and have [daughters]622-daughters ( which remote contingency may [Heaven]201-heaven forefend ! ) [they]622-daughters shall be educated in [Paper Buildings]5694-paper buildings , take [their]622-daughters sole exercise in [the Temple Gardens]5695-the temple gardens , and [they]622-daughters shall never go beyond the gates till [they]622-daughters are marriageable , when [I]173-robert will walk [them]622-daughters straight across [Fleet street]24-fleet street to [St. Dunstan 's church]56-st. dunstan 's church , and deliver [them]622-daughters into the hands of [[their]622-daughters husbands]5696-their husbands . "[173-robert] With such reflections as these did [Mr. Robert Audley]173-robert beguile the time until [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady re - entered [the drawing - room]467-the drawing - room , fresh and radiant in [her]468-my lady elegant morning costume , [her]468-my lady yellow curls glistening with the perfumed waters in which [she]468-my lady had bathed , and [her]468-my lady velvet - covered sketch - book in [her]468-my lady arms . [She]468-my lady planted a little easel upon a table by the window , seated [herself]468-my lady before it , and began to mix the colors upon [her]468-my lady palette , [Robert]173-robert watching [her]468-my lady out of [his]173-robert half - closed eyes . " [You]173-robert are sure [my]173-robert cigar does not annoy [you]173-robert , [Lady Audley]150-lady audley ? "[173-robert] " Oh , no indeed ; [I]468-my lady am quite used to the smell of tobacco . [Mr. Dawson]151-mr. dawson , [the surgeon]508-the surgeon , smoked all the evening when [I]468-my lady lived in [[his]151-mr. dawson house]447-his house . "[468-my lady] " [Dawson]151-mr. dawson is [a good fellow]4860-a good fellow , is n't [he]151-mr. dawson ? "[173-robert] [Robert]173-robert asked , carelessly . [[My]0-i lady]468-my lady burst into [her]468-my lady pretty , gushing laugh . " [The dearest of good creatures]5700-the dearest of good creatures , "[468-my lady] [she]468-my lady said . " [He]151-mr. dawson paid [me]468-my lady five - and - twenty pounds a year — only fancy , five - and - twenty pounds ! That made six pounds five a quarter . How well [I]468-my lady remember receiving the money — six dingy old sovereigns , and a little heap of untidy , dirty silver , that came straight from the till in [the surgery]5701-the surgery ! And then how glad [I]468-my lady was to get it ! While now — [I]468-my lady ca n't help laughing while [I]468-my lady think of it — these colors [I]468-my lady am using cost a guinea each at [Winsor & Newton's]57-winsor & newton's — the carmine and ultramarine thirty shillings . [I]468-my lady gave [Mrs. Dawson]154-mrs. dawson one of [my]468-my lady silk dresses the other day , and [the poor thing]5702-the poor thing kissed [me]468-my lady , and [the surgeon]508-the surgeon carried the bundle [home]479-home under [his]508-the surgeon cloak . "[468-my lady] [[My]0-i lady]468-my lady laughed long and joyously at the thought . [Her]468-my lady colors were mixed ; [she]468-my lady was copying a water - colored sketch of an impossibly Turneresque atmosphere . The sketch was nearly finished , and [she]468-my lady had only to put in some critical little touches with the most delicate of [her]468-my lady sable pencils . [She]468-my lady prepared [herself]468-my lady daintily for the work , looking sideways at the painting . All this time [Mr. Robert Audley]173-robert 's eyes were fixed intently on [her]468-my lady pretty face . " It is a change , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said , after so long a pause that [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady might have forgotten what [she]468-my lady had been talking of , " it is a change ! [Some women]5705-some women would do a great deal to accomplish such a change as that . "[173-robert] [Lady Audley]150-lady audley 's clear blue eyes dilated as [she]150-lady audley fixed them suddenly on [the young barrister]5094-the young barrister . The wintry sunlight , gleaming full upon [her]150-lady audley face from a side window , lit up the azure of those beautiful eyes , till their color seemed to flicker and tremble betwixt blue and green , as the opal tints of [the sea]661-the sea change upon a summer 's day . The small brush fell from [her]150-lady audley hand , and blotted out [the peasant]1707-the peasant 's face under a widening circle of crimson lake . [Robert Audley]173-robert was tenderly coaxing the crumbled leaf of [his]173-robert cigar with cautious fingers . " [[My]173-robert friend]836-my friend at [the corner of [Chancery Lane]51-chancery lane]5707-the corner of chancery lane has not given [me]173-robert such good Manillas as usual , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert murmured . " If ever [you]468-my lady smoke , [[my]173-robert dear aunt]1149-my dear aunt ( and [I]173-robert am told that [many women]5709-many women take a quiet weed under the rose ) , be very careful how [you]468-my lady choose [your]468-my lady cigars . "[173-robert] [[My]0-i lady]468-my lady drew a long breath , picked up [her]468-my lady brush , and laughed aloud at [Robert]173-robert 's advice . " What [an eccentric creature]5710-an eccentric creature [you]173-robert are , [Mr. Audley]173-robert [I]468-my lady Do [you]173-robert know that [you]173-robert sometimes puzzle [me]468-my lady — "[468-my lady] " Not more than [you]173-robert puzzle [me]468-my lady , [dear aunt]5711-dear aunt . "[468-my lady] [[My]0-i lady]468-my lady put away [her]468-my lady colors and sketch book , and seating [herself]468-my lady in the deep recess of another window , at a considerable distance from [Robert Audley]173-robert , settled to a large piece of Berlin - wool work — a piece of embroidery which [the Penelopes of ten or twelve years ago]1710-the penelopes of ten or twelve years ago were very fond of exercising [their]1710-the penelopes of ten or twelve years ago ingenuity upon — the Olden Time at [Bolton Abbey]58-bolton abbey . Seated in the embrasure of this window , [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady was separated from [Robert Audley]173-robert by the whole length of [the room]595-the room , and [the young man]667-the young man could only catch an occasional glimpse of [her]468-my lady fair face , surrounded by its bright aureole of hazy , golden hair . [Robert Audley]173-robert had been a week at [the Court]373-the court , but as yet neither [he]173-robert nor [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady had mentioned the name of [George Talboys]157-george . This morning , however , after exhausting the usual topics of conversation , [Lady Audley]150-lady audley made an inquiry about [[her]150-lady audley nephew 's friend]1716-her nephew 's friend ; " That [Mr. George]157-george — [George]157-george — "[150-lady audley] [she]150-lady audley said , hesitating . " [Talboys]157-george , "[173-robert] suggested [Robert]173-robert . " Yes , to be sure — [Mr. George Talboys]157-george . Rather a singular name , by - the - by , and certainly , by all accounts , [a very singular person]5712-a very singular person . Have [you]173-robert seen [him]1716-her nephew 's friend lately ? "[173-robert] " [I]468-my lady have not seen [him]1716-her nephew 's friend since the 7th of September last — the day upon which [he]1716-her nephew 's friend left [me]468-my lady asleep in the meadows on [the other side of [the village]5107-the village]5713-the other side of the village . "[468-my lady] " Dear [me]468-my lady ! "[468-my lady] exclaimed [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , " what [a very strange young man]5715-a very strange young man this [Mr. George Talboys]157-george must be ! Pray tell [me]173-robert all about it . "[173-robert] [Robert]173-robert told , in a few words , of [his]173-robert visit to [Southampton]33-southampton and [his]173-robert journey to [Liverpool]6-liverpool , with their different results , [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady listening very attentively . In order to tell this story to better advantage , [the young man]667-the young man left [his]667-the young man chair , and , crossing [the room]595-the room , took up [his]667-the young man place opposite to [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , in the embrasure of the window . " And what do [you]667-the young man infer from all this ? "[468-my lady] asked [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , after a pause . " It is so great a mystery to [me]667-the young man , "[667-the young man] [he]667-the young man answered , " that [I]667-the young man scarcely dare to draw any conclusion whatever ; but in the obscurity [I]667-the young man think [I]667-the young man can grope [my]667-the young man way to two suppositions , which to [me]667-the young man seem almost certainties . "[667-the young man] " And they are — "[468-my lady] " First , that [George Talboys]157-george never went beyond [Southampton]33-southampton . Second , that [he]157-george never went to [Southampton]33-southampton at all . "[468-my lady] " But [you]667-the young man traced [him]157-george [there]374-there . [[His]157-george father - in - law]5039-his father - in - law had seen [him]157-george . "[468-my lady] " [I]468-my lady have reason to doubt [[his]157-george father - in - law]5039-his father - in - law 's integrity . "[468-my lady] " Good gracious [me]468-my lady ! "[468-my lady] cried [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , piteously . " What do [you]667-the young man mean by all this ? "[468-my lady] " [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , "[667-the young man] answered [the young man]667-the young man , gravely , " [I]667-the young man have never practiced as [a barrister]4842-a barrister . [I]667-the young man have enrolled [myself]667-the young man in the ranks of a profession , the members of which hold solemn responsibilities and have sacred duties to perform ; and [I]667-the young man have shrunk from those responsibilities and duties , as [I]667-the young man have from all the fatigues of this troublesome life . But [we]5720-we are sometimes forced into the very position [we]5720-we have most avoided , and [I]667-the young man have found [myself]667-the young man lately compelled to think of these things . [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , did [you]150-lady audley ever study the theory of circumstantial evidence ? "[667-the young man] " How can [you]667-the young man ask [a poor little woman]5721-a poor little woman about such horrid things ? "[468-my lady] exclaimed [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady . " Circumstantial evidence , "[667-the young man] continued [the young man]667-the young man , as if [he]667-the young man scarcely heard [Lady Audley]150-lady audley 's interruption—"that wonderful fabric which is built out of straws collected at every point of the compass , and which is yet strong enough to hang [a man]445-a man . Upon what infinitesimal trifles may sometimes hang the whole secret of some wicked mystery , inexplicable heretofore to the wisest upon [the earth]5601-the earth ! A scrap of paper , a shred of some torn garment , the button off a coat , a word dropped incautiously from the overcautious lips of guilt , the fragment of a letter , the shutting or opening of a door , a shadow on a window - blind , the accuracy of a moment tested by one of [Benson]216-benson 's watches — a thousand circumstances so slight as to be forgotten by [the criminal]5724-the criminal , but links of iron in the wonderful chain forged by the science of [the detective officer]5725-the detective officer ; and lo ! the gallows is built up ; the solemn bell tolls through the dismal gray of the early morning , the drop creaks under the guilty feet , and the penalty of crime is paid . "[150-lady audley] Faint shadows of green and crimson fell upon [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady 's face from the painted escutcheons in the mullioned window by which [she]150-lady audley sat ; but every trace of the natural color of that face had faded out , leaving it a ghastly ashen gray . Sitting quietly in [her]150-lady audley chair , [her]150-lady audley head fallen back upon the amber damask cushions , and [her]150-lady audley little hands lying powerless in [her]150-lady audley lap , [Lady Audley]150-lady audley had fainted away . " The radius grows narrower day by day , "[173-robert] said [Robert Audley]173-robert . " [George Talboys]157-george never reached [Southampton]33-southampton . "[173-robert] The Christmas week was over , and one by one [the country visitors]1727-the country visitors dropped away from [Audley Court]1-audley court . [The fat squire]1728-the fat squire and [[his]1728-the fat squire wife]554-his wife abandoned [the gray , tapestried chamber]1730-the gray , tapestried chamber , and left [the black - browed warriors looming from the wall]1731-the black - browed warriors looming from the wall to scowl upon and threaten [new guests , or to glare vengefully upon vacancy]1732-new guests , or to glare vengefully upon vacancy . [The merry girls on [the second story]1734-the second story]1733-the merry girls on the second story packed , or caused to be packed , [their]1733-the merry girls on the second story trunks and imperials , and tumbled gauze ball - dresses were taken [home]479-home that had been brought fresh to [Audley]150-lady audley . Blundering old family chariots , with horses whose untrimmed fetlocks told of rougher work than even [country roads]1736-country roads , were brought round to the broad space before the grim oak door , and laden with chaotic heaps of womanly luggage . Pretty rosy faces peeped out of carriage windows to smile the last farewell upon [the group at the hall]1737-the group at the hall door , as [the vehicle]1673-the vehicle rattled and rumbled under the ivied archway . [Sir Michael]146-sir michael was in request everywhere . Shaking hands with [the young sportsmen]1739-the young sportsmen ; kissing [the rosy - cheeked girls]1740-the rosy - cheeked girls ; sometimes even embracing [portly matrons who came to thank [him]146-sir michael for [their]1741-portly matrons who came to thank him for their pleasant visit pleasant visit]1741-portly matrons who came to thank him for their pleasant visit ; everywhere genial , hospitable , generous , happy , and beloved , [the baronet]465-the baronet hurried from [room]1174-room to [room]1174-room , from [the hall]804-the hall to [the stables]1746-the stables , from [the stables]1746-the stables to [the court - yard]1748-the court - yard , from [the court - yard]1748-the court - yard to the arched gateway to speed [the parting guest]1750-the parting guest . [[My]0-i lady]468-my lady 's yellow curls flashed hither and thither like wandering gleams of sunshine on these busy days of farewell . [Her]468-my lady great blue eyes had a pretty , mournful look , in charming unison with the soft pressure of [her]468-my lady little hand , and that friendly , though perhaps rather stereotyped speech , in which [she]468-my lady told [[her]468-my lady visitors]1752-her visitors how [she]468-my lady was so sorry to lose [them]1752-her visitors , and how [she]468-my lady did n't know what [she]468-my lady should do till [they]1752-her visitors came once more to enliven [the court]373-the court by [their]1752-her visitors charming society . But however sorry [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady might be to lose [[her]468-my lady visitors]1752-her visitors , there was at least [one guest whose society [she]468-my lady was not deprived of]1756-one guest whose society she was not deprived of . [Robert Audley]173-robert showed no intention of leaving [[[his]173-robert uncle]4872-his uncle 's house]1245-his uncle 's house . [He]173-robert had no professional duties , [he]173-robert said ; [Figtree Court]14-figtree court was delightfully shady in hot weather , but there was a sharp corner round which the wind came in the summer months , armed with avenging rheumatisms and influenzas . [Everybody]632-everybody was so good to [him]173-robert at [the Court]373-the court , that really [he]173-robert had no inclination to hurry away . [Sir Michael]146-sir michael had but one answer to this : " Stay , [[my]146-sir michael dear boy]899-my dear boy ; stay , [[my]146-sir michael dear]4626-my dear Bob , as long as ever [you]899-my dear boy like . [I]146-sir michael have [no son]5728-no son , and [you]899-my dear boy stand to [me]146-sir michael in the place of one . Make [yourself]899-my dear boy agreeable to [Lucy]197-lucy , and make [the Court]373-the court [[your]899-my dear boy home]5730-your home as long as [you]899-my dear boy live . "[146-sir michael] To which [Robert]173-robert would merely reply by grasping [[his]173-robert uncle]4872-his uncle 's hand vehemently , and muttering something about " [a jolly old prince]5731-a jolly old prince . "[667-the young man] It was to be observed that there was sometimes a certain vague sadness in [the young man]667-the young man 's tone when [he]667-the young man called [Sir Michael]146-sir michael " [a jolly old prince]5731-a jolly old prince ; "[667-the young man] some shadow of affectionate regret that brought a mist into [Robert]173-robert 's eyes , as [he]173-robert sat in a corner of [the room]595-the room looking thoughtfully at [the white - bearded baronet]1764-the white - bearded baronet . Before [the last of [the young sportsmen]1739-the young sportsmen]1765-the last of the young sportsmen departed , [Sir Harry Towers]214-sir harry towers demanded and obtained an interview with [Miss Alicia Audley]149-alicia in [the oak library]1767-the oak library — an interview in which considerable emotion was displayed by [the stalwart young fox - hunter]1768-the stalwart young fox - hunter ; so much emotion , indeed , and of such a genuine and honest character , that [Alicia]149-alicia fairly broke down as [she]149-alicia told [him]214-sir harry towers [she]149-alicia should forever esteem and respect [him]214-sir harry towers for [his]214-sir harry towers true and noble heart , but that [he]214-sir harry towers must never , never , unless [he]214-sir harry towers wished to cause [her]149-alicia the most cruel distress , ask more from [her]149-alicia than this esteem and respect . [Sir Harry]214-sir harry towers left [the library]5301-the library by the French window opening into [the pond - garden]1770-the pond - garden . [He]214-sir harry towers strolled into that very lime - walk which [George Talboys]157-george had compared to [an avenue in [a churchyard]1099-a churchyard]1098-an avenue in a churchyard , and under the leafless trees fought the battle of [his]214-sir harry towers brave young heart . " What [a fool]4668-a fool [I]214-sir harry towers am to feel it like this ! "[214-sir harry towers] [he]214-sir harry towers cried , stamping [his]214-sir harry towers foot upon the frosty ground . " [I]214-sir harry towers always knew it would be so ; [I]214-sir harry towers always knew that [she]149-alicia was a hundred times too good for [me]214-sir harry towers . God bless [her]149-alicia ! How nobly and tenderly [she]149-alicia spoke ; how beautiful [she]149-alicia looked with the crimson blushes under [her]149-alicia brown skin , and the tears in [her]149-alicia big , gray eyes — almost as handsome as the day [she]149-alicia took the sunk fence , and let [me]214-sir harry towers put the brush in [her]149-alicia hat as [we]5734-we rode [home]479-home ! God bless [her]149-alicia ! [I]214-sir harry towers can get over anything as long as [she]149-alicia does n't care for [that sneaking lawyer]5736-that sneaking lawyer . But [I]214-sir harry towers could n't stand that . "[214-sir harry towers] [That sneaking lawyer]5736-that sneaking lawyer , by which appellation [Sir Harry]214-sir harry towers alluded to [Mr. Robert Audley]173-robert , was standing in [the hall]804-the hall , looking at a map of [the midland counties]1775-the midland counties , when [Alicia]149-alicia came out of [the library]5301-the library , with red eyes , after [her]149-alicia interview with [the fox - hunting baronet]1777-the fox - hunting baronet . [Robert]173-robert , who was short - sighted , had [his]173-robert eyes within half an inch of the surface of the map as [the young lady]5100-the young lady approached [him]173-robert . " Yes , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said , " [Norwich]59-norwich is in [Norfolk]60-norfolk , and [that fool]5737-that fool , [young Vincent]192-mrs. vincent , said it was in [Herefordshire]61-herefordshire . [Ha]217-ha , [Alicia]149-alicia , is that [you]149-alicia ? "[173-robert] [He]173-robert turned round so as to intercept [Miss Audley]149-alicia on [her]5100-the young lady way to the staircase . " Yes , "[786-his cousin] replied [[his]173-robert cousin]786-his cousin curtly , trying to pass [him]173-robert . " [Alicia]149-alicia , [you]149-alicia have been crying . "[5100-the young lady] [The young lady]5100-the young lady did not condescend to reply . " [You]149-alicia have been crying , [Alicia]149-alicia . [Sir Harry Towers]214-sir harry towers , of [Towers Park]62-towers park , in [the county of Herts]5738-the county of herts , has been making [you]149-alicia an offer of [his]214-sir harry towers hand , eh ? "[5100-the young lady] " Have [you]149-alicia been listening at the door , [Mr. Audley]173-robert ? "[173-robert] " [I]5100-the young lady have not , [Miss Audley]149-alicia . On principle , [I]5100-the young lady object to listen , and in practice [I]5100-the young lady believe it to be a very troublesome proceeding ; but [I]5100-the young lady am [a barrister]4842-a barrister , [Miss Alicia]149-alicia , and able to draw a conclusion by induction . Do [you]149-alicia know what inductive evidence is , [Miss Audley]149-alicia ? "[5100-the young lady] " No , "[149-alicia] replied [Alicia]149-alicia , looking at [[her]149-alicia cousin]790-her cousin as a handsome young panther might look at [its daring tormentor]1782-its daring tormentor . " [I]5100-the young lady thought not . [I]5100-the young lady dare say [Sir Harry]214-sir harry towers would ask if it was a new kind of horse - ball . [I]5100-the young lady knew by induction that [the baronet]465-the baronet was going to make [you]149-alicia an offer ; first , because [he]465-the baronet came [downstairs]5741-downstairs with [his]465-the baronet hair parted on the wrong side , and [his]465-the baronet face as pale as a tablecloth ; secondly , because [he]465-the baronet could n't eat any breakfast , and let [his]465-the baronet coffee go the wrong way ; and , thirdly , because [he]465-the baronet asked for an interview with [you]149-alicia before [he]465-the baronet left [the Court]373-the court . Well , how 's it to be , [Alicia]149-alicia ? Do [we]5743-we marry [the baronet]465-the baronet , and is [poor Cousin Bob]174-bob to be [the best man at the wedding]5745-the best man at the wedding ? "[5100-the young lady] " [Sir Harry Towers]214-sir harry towers is [a noble - hearted young man]5746-a noble - hearted young man , "[149-alicia] said [Alicia]149-alicia , still trying to pass [[her]149-alicia cousin]790-her cousin . " But do [we]5743-we accept [him]214-sir harry towers — yes or no ? Are [we]5743-we to be [Lady Towers]218-lady towers , with [a superb estate in [Hertfordshire]63-hertfordshire]5747-a superb estate in hertfordshire , [summer quarters for [[our]5743-we hunters]5749-our hunters]5748-summer quarters for our hunters , and [a drag with outriders to drive [us]5743-we across to [papa 's place in [Essex]2-essex]5751-papa 's place in essex]5750-a drag with outriders to drive us across to papa 's place in essex ? Is it to be so , [Alicia]149-alicia , or not ? "[149-alicia] " What is that to [you]214-sir harry towers , [Mr. Robert Audley]173-robert ? "[149-alicia] cried [Alicia]149-alicia , passionately . " What do [you]214-sir harry towers care what becomes of [me]149-alicia , or whom [I]149-alicia marry ? If [I]149-alicia married [a chimney - sweep]5752-a chimney - sweep [you]214-sir harry towers 'd only lift up [your]214-sir harry towers eyebrows and say , ' Bless [my]149-alicia soul , [she]5752-a chimney - sweep was always eccentric . ' [I]149-alicia have refused [Sir Harry Towers]214-sir harry towers ; but when [I]149-alicia think of [his]214-sir harry towers generous and unselfish affection , and compare it with the heartless , lazy , selfish , supercilious indifference of [other men]4874-other men , [I]149-alicia 've a good mind to run after [him]214-sir harry towers and tell [him]214-sir harry towers — "[149-alicia] " That [you]149-alicia 'll retract , and be [my]173-robert Lady [Towers]214-sir harry towers ? "[173-robert] " Yes . "[149-alicia] " Then do n't , [Alicia]149-alicia , do n't , "[173-robert] said [Robert Audley]173-robert , grasping [[his]173-robert cousin]786-his cousin 's slender little wrist , and leading [her]786-his cousin up - stairs . " Come into [the drawing - room]467-the drawing - room with [me]173-robert , [Alicia]149-alicia , [[my]173-robert poor little cousin]5755-my poor little cousin ; [[my]173-robert charming , impetuous , alarming little cousin]5756-my charming , impetuous , alarming little cousin . Sit down here in this mullioned window , and let [us]793-the cousins talk seriously and leave off quarreling if [we]793-the cousins can . "[173-robert] [The cousins]793-the cousins had [the drawing - room]467-the drawing - room all to [themselves]793-the cousins . [Sir Michael]146-sir michael was out , [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady in [[her]468-my lady own apartments]1788-her own apartments , and poor Sir [Harry Towers]214-sir harry towers walking up and down upon [the gravel walk]1789-the gravel walk , darkened with the flickering shadows of the leafless branches in the cold winter sunshine . " [[My]173-robert poor little [Alicia]149-alicia]5757-my poor little alicia , "[173-robert] said [Robert]173-robert , as tenderly as if [he]173-robert had been addressing [some spoiled child]1790-some spoiled child , " do [you]149-alicia suppose that because [people]572-people do n't wear vinegar tops , or part [their]572-people hair on the wrong side , or conduct [themselves]572-people altogether after the manner of [well - meaning maniacs]5759-well - meaning maniacs , by way of proving the vehemence of [their]572-people passion — do [you]149-alicia suppose because of this , [Alicia Audley]149-alicia , that [they]572-people may not be just as sensible of the merits of [a dear little warm - hearted and affectionate girl]5760-a dear little warm - hearted and affectionate girl as ever [[their]572-people neighbors]5761-their neighbors can be ? Life is such a very troublesome matter , when all is said and done , that it 's as well even to take its blessings quietly . [I]173-robert do n't make a great howling because [I]173-robert can get good cigars one door from [the corner of [Chancery Lane]51-chancery lane]5707-the corner of chancery lane , and have [a dear , good girl for [[my]173-robert cousin]986-my cousin]5763-a dear , good girl for my cousin ; but [I]173-robert am not the less grateful to [Providence]219-providence that it is so . "[173-robert] [Alicia]149-alicia opened [her]149-alicia gray eyes to their widest extent , looking [[her]149-alicia cousin]790-her cousin full in the face with a bewildered stare . [Robert]173-robert had picked up the ugliest and leanest of [his]173-robert attendant curs , and was placidly stroking the animal 's ears . " Is this all [you]173-robert have to say to [me]149-alicia , [Robert]173-robert ? "[149-alicia] asked [Miss Audley]149-alicia , meekly . " Well , yes , [I]790-her cousin think so , "[790-her cousin] replied [[her]149-alicia cousin]790-her cousin , after considerable deliberation . " [I]790-her cousin fancy that what [I]790-her cousin wanted to say was this — don't marry [the fox - hunting baronet]1777-the fox - hunting baronet if [you]173-robert like [anybody else]5766-anybody else better ; for if [you]173-robert 'll only be patient and take life easily , and try and reform [yourself]173-robert of banging doors , bouncing in and out [rooms]5767-rooms , talking of [the stables]1746-the stables , and riding across [country]5691-country , [I]790-her cousin 've no doubt [the person [you]173-robert prefer]5770-the person you prefer will make [you]173-robert [a very excellent husband]5771-a very excellent husband . "[790-her cousin] " Thank [you]173-robert , [cousin]5772-cousin , "[149-alicia] said [Miss Audley]149-alicia , crimsoning with bright , indignant blushes up to the roots of [her]149-alicia waving brown hair ; " but as [you]173-robert may not know [the person [I]173-robert prefer]5773-the person i prefer , [I]173-robert think [you]173-robert had better not take upon [yourself]173-robert to answer for [him]5773-the person i prefer . "[173-robert] [Robert]173-robert pulled the dog 's ears thoughtfully for some moments . " No , to be sure , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said , after a pause . " Of course , if [I]173-robert do n't know [him]5773-the person i prefer — [I]173-robert thought [I]173-robert did . "[173-robert] " Did [you]173-robert ? "[149-alicia] exclaimed [Alicia]149-alicia ; and opening the door with a violence that made [[her]149-alicia cousin]790-her cousin shiver , [she]149-alicia bounced out of [the drawing - room]467-the drawing - room . " [I]173-robert only said [I]173-robert thought [I]173-robert knew [him]5773-the person i prefer , "[173-robert] [Robert]173-robert called after [her]149-alicia ; and , then , as [he]173-robert sunk into an easy - chair , [he]173-robert murmured thoughtfully : " Such [a nice girl]5692-a nice girl , too , if [she]5692-a nice girl did n't bounce . "[173-robert] So poor [Sir Harry Towers]214-sir harry towers rode away from [Audley Court]1-audley court , looking very crestfallen and dismal . [He]214-sir harry towers had very little pleasure in returning to [the stately mansion]1795-the stately mansion , hidden among sheltering oaks and venerable beeches . [The square , red brick house]1796-the square , red brick house , gleaming at the end of a long arcade of leafless trees was to be forever desolate , [he]214-sir harry towers thought , since [Alicia]149-alicia would not come to be [its mistress]1797-its mistress . A hundred improvements planned and thought of were dismissed from [his]214-sir harry towers mind as useless now . [The hunter that Jim the trainer]1798-the hunter that jim the trainer was breaking in for [a lady]1799-a lady ; [the two pointer pups that were being reared for the next shooting season]1800-the two pointer pups that were being reared for the next shooting season ; the big black retriever that would have carried [Alicia]149-alicia 's parasol ; [the pavilion in [the garden]452-the garden]1801-the pavilion in the garden , disused since [[his]214-sir harry towers mother]533-his mother 's death , but which [he]214-sir harry towers had meant to have restored for [Miss Audley]149-alicia — all these things were now so much vanity and vexation of spirit . " What 's the good of being rich if [one]5487-one has [no one]507-no one to help spend [one]5487-one 's money ? "[1804-the young baronet] said [the young baronet]1804-the young baronet . " [One]5487-one only grows [a selfish beggar]5779-a selfish beggar , and takes to drinking too much port . It 's a hard thing that [a girl]750-a girl can refuse a true heart and such stables as [we]5781-we 've got at [the park]5782-the park . It unsettles [a man]445-a man somehow . "[1804-the young baronet] Indeed , this unlooked for rejection had very much unsettled the few ideas which made up the small sum of [the baronet]465-the baronet 's mind . [He]214-sir harry towers had been desperately in love with [Alicia]149-alicia ever since the last hunting season , when [he]214-sir harry towers had met [her]149-alicia at the county ball . [His]214-sir harry towers passion , cherished through the slow monotony of a summer , had broken out afresh in the merry winter months , and [the young man]667-the young man 's mauvaise honte alone had delayed the offer of [his]214-sir harry towers hand . But [he]214-sir harry towers had never for a moment supposed that [he]214-sir harry towers would be refused ; [he]214-sir harry towers was so used to the adulation of [mothers]1807-mothers who had [daughters to marry]1808-daughters to marry , and of even [the daughters]1809-the daughters [themselves]1809-the daughters ; [he]214-sir harry towers had been so accustomed to feel [himself]214-sir harry towers [the leading personage]1810-the leading personage in an assembly , although [half the wits of the age]1811-half the wits of the age had been there , and [he]214-sir harry towers could only say " Haw , to be sure ! "[214-sir harry towers] and " By Jove — hum ! "[214-sir harry towers] [he]214-sir harry towers had been so spoiled by the flatteries of bright eyes that looked , or seemed to look , the brighter when [he]214-sir harry towers drew near , that without being possessed of one shadow of personal vanity , [he]214-sir harry towers had yet come to think that [he]214-sir harry towers had only to make an offer to [the prettiest girl in [Essex]2-essex]1812-the prettiest girl in essex to behold [himself]214-sir harry towers immediately accepted . " Yes , "[214-sir harry towers] [he]214-sir harry towers would say complacently to [some admiring satellite]1813-some admiring satellite , " [I]465-the baronet know [I]465-the baronet 'm a good match , and [I]465-the baronet know what makes [the gals so civil]5784-the gals so civil . [They]5784-the gals so civil 're very pretty , and [they]5784-the gals so civil 're very friendly to [a fellow]5492-a fellow ; but [I]465-the baronet do n't care about ['em]5786-'em . [They]5784-the gals so civil 're all alike — [they]5784-the gals so civil can only drop [their]5784-the gals so civil eyes and say , ' Lor ' , [Sir Harry]214-sir harry towers , why do [you]214-sir harry towers call [that curly black dog]5787-that curly black dog [a retriever]5788-a retriever ? ' or ' [Oh Sir Harry]214-sir harry towers , and did [the poor mare]5789-the poor mare really sprain [her]5789-the poor mare pastern shoulder - blade ? ' [I]465-the baronet have n't got much brains [myself]465-the baronet , [I]465-the baronet know , "[465-the baronet] [the baronet]465-the baronet would add deprecatingly ; " and [I]465-the baronet do n't want [a strong - minded woman , who writes books and wears green spectacles]5790-a strong - minded woman , who writes books and wears green spectacles ; but , hang it ! [I]465-the baronet like [a gal who knows what [she]5790-a strong - minded woman , who writes books and wears green spectacles 's talking about]5791-a gal who knows what she 's talking about . "[465-the baronet] So when [Alicia]149-alicia said " No , "[149-alicia] or rather made that pretty speech about esteem and respect , which [well - bred young ladies]1815-well - bred young ladies substitute for the obnoxious monosyllable , [Sir Harry Towers]214-sir harry towers felt that the whole fabric of the future [he]214-sir harry towers had built so complacently was shivered into a heap of dingy ruins . [Sir Michael]146-sir michael grasped [him]214-sir harry towers warmly by the hand just before [the young man]667-the young man mounted [his]667-the young man horse in [the court - yard]1748-the court - yard . " [I]146-sir michael 'm very sorry , [Towers]214-sir harry towers , "[146-sir michael] [he]146-sir michael said . " [You]214-sir harry towers 're as good [a fellow as ever breathed]5792-a fellow as ever breathed , and would have made [[my]146-sir michael girl]4780-my girl an [excellent husband]5794-excellent husband ; but [you]214-sir harry towers know there 's [a cousin]5795-a cousin , and [I]146-sir michael think that — "[146-sir michael] " Do n't say that , [Sir Michael]146-sir michael , "[1818-the fox - hunter] interrupted [the fox - hunter]1818-the fox - hunter , energetically . " [I]1818-the fox - hunter can get over anything but that . [A fellow whose hand upon the curb]5796-a fellow whose hand upon the curb weighs half a ton ( why , [he]667-the young man pulled [the Cavalier]5797-the cavalier 's mouth to pieces , [sir]900-sir , the day [you]900-sir let [him]667-the young man ride the horse ) ; [a fellow who turns [his]667-the young man collars down , and eats bread and marmalade]5799-a fellow who turns his collars down , and eats bread and marmalade ! No , no , [Sir Michael]146-sir michael ; it 's [a queer world]5800-a queer world , but [I]1818-the fox - hunter ca n't think that of [Miss Audley]149-alicia . There must be [some one in the background]5801-some one in the background , [sir]900-sir ; it ca n't be [the cousin]5803-the cousin . "[1818-the fox - hunter] [Sir Michael]146-sir michael shook [his]146-sir michael head as [the rejected suitor]1819-the rejected suitor rode away . " [I]146-sir michael do n't know about that , "[146-sir michael] [he]146-sir michael muttered . " [Bob]174-bob 's [a good lad]5804-a good lad , and [the girl]753-the girl might do worse ; but [he]174-bob hangs back as if [he]174-bob did n't care for [her]753-the girl . There 's some mystery — there 's some mystery ! "[146-sir michael] [The old baronet]1820-the old baronet said this in that semi - thoughtful tone with which [we]1821-we speak of [other people]1822-other people 's affairs . The shadows of the early winter twilight , gathering thickest under the low oak ceiling of [the hall]804-the hall , and the quaint curve of the arched doorway , fell darkly round [his]1820-the old baronet handsome head ; but the light of [his]1820-the old baronet declining life , [[his]1820-the old baronet beautiful and beloved young wife]1824-his beautiful and beloved young wife , was near [him]1820-the old baronet , and [he]1820-the old baronet could see no shadows when [she]1824-his beautiful and beloved young wife was by . [She]1824-his beautiful and beloved young wife came skipping through [the hall]804-the hall to meet [him]1820-the old baronet , and , shaking [her]1824-his beautiful and beloved young wife golden ringlets , buried [her]1824-his beautiful and beloved young wife bright head on [[her]1824-his beautiful and beloved young wife husband]469-her husband 's breast . " So [the last of [[our]5807-our visitors]5808-our visitors]5806-the last of our visitors is gone , [dear]5809-dear , and [we]5807-our 're all alone , "[1824-his beautiful and beloved young wife] [she]1824-his beautiful and beloved young wife said . " Is n't that nice ? "[1824-his beautiful and beloved young wife] " Yes , [darling]5810-darling , "[1820-the old baronet] [he]1820-the old baronet answered fondly , stroking [her]1824-his beautiful and beloved young wife bright hair . " Except [Mr. Robert Audley]173-robert . How long is [that nephew of yours]5811-that nephew of yours going to stay [here]4776-here ? "[465-the baronet] " As long as [he]1820-the old baronet likes , [[my]465-the baronet pet]4695-my pet ; [he]1820-the old baronet 's always welcome , "[465-the baronet] said [the baronet]465-the baronet ; and then , as if remembering [himself]465-the baronet , [he]465-the baronet added , tenderly : " But not unless [his]1820-the old baronet visit is agreeable to [you]5810-darling , [darling]5810-darling ; not if [his]1820-the old baronet lazy habits , or [his]1820-the old baronet smoking , or [his]1820-the old baronet dogs , or anything about [him]1820-the old baronet is displeasing to [you]5810-darling . "[465-the baronet] [Lady Audley]150-lady audley pursed up [her]150-lady audley rosy lips and looked thoughtfully at the ground . " It is n't that , "[150-lady audley] [she]150-lady audley said , hesitatingly . " [Mr. Audley]173-robert is [a very agreeable young man]5815-a very agreeable young man , and [a very honorable young man]5816-a very honorable young man ; but [you]5810-darling know , [Sir Michael]146-sir michael , [I]150-lady audley 'm rather [a young aunt]5817-a young aunt for [such a nephew]5818-such a nephew , and — "[150-lady audley] " And what , [Lucy]197-lucy ? "[465-the baronet] asked [the baronet]465-the baronet , fiercely . " [Poor Alicia]190-alicia is rather jealous of any attention [Mr. Audley]173-robert pays [me]465-the baronet , and — and — [I]465-the baronet think it would be better for [her]190-alicia happiness if [[your]5810-darling nephew]5819-your nephew were to bring [his]5819-your nephew visit to a close . "[465-the baronet] " [He]5819-your nephew shall go to - night , [Lucy]197-lucy , "[146-sir michael] exclaimed [Sir Michael]146-sir michael . " [I]146-sir michael am [a blind , neglectful fool not to have thought of this]5820-a blind , neglectful fool not to have thought of this before . [[My]146-sir michael lovely little darling]5821-my lovely little darling , it was scarcely just to [Bob]174-bob to expose [the poor lad]5822-the poor lad to [your]197-lucy fascinations . [I]146-sir michael know [him]5819-your nephew to be as good and true - hearted [a fellow as ever breathed]5792-a fellow as ever breathed , but — but — [he]5819-your nephew shall go tonight . "[146-sir michael] " But [you]5810-darling wo n't be too abrupt , [dear]5809-dear ? [You]5810-darling wo n't be rude ? "[465-the baronet] " Rude ! No , [Lucy]197-lucy . [I]146-sir michael left [him]5819-your nephew smoking in the lime - walk . [I]146-sir michael 'll go and tell [him]5819-your nephew that [he]5819-your nephew must get out of [the house]388-the house in an hour . "[146-sir michael] So in [that leafless avenue]1829-that leafless avenue , under whose gloomy shade [George Talboys]157-george had stood on that thunderous evening before the day of [his]157-george disappearance , [Sir Michael Audley]146-sir michael told [[his]146-sir michael nephew]5177-his nephew that [the Court]373-the court was [no home for [him]5177-his nephew]1832-no home for him , and that [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady was too young and pretty to accept the attentions of [a handsome nephew of eight - and - twenty]1834-a handsome nephew of eight - and - twenty . [Robert]173-robert only shrugged [his]173-robert shoulders and elevated [his]173-robert thick , black eyebrows as [Sir Michael]146-sir michael delicately hinted all this . " [I]146-sir michael have been attentive to [[my]146-sir michael lady]468-my lady , "[146-sir michael] [he]146-sir michael said . " [She]468-my lady interests [me]146-sir michael ; "[146-sir michael] and then , with a change in [his]146-sir michael voice , and an emotion not common to [him]146-sir michael , [he]146-sir michael turned to [the baronet]465-the baronet , and grasping [his]465-the baronet hand , exclaimed , " God forbid , [[my]146-sir michael dear uncle]1023-my dear uncle , that [I]146-sir michael should ever bring trouble upon such a noble heart as [yours]465-the baronet ! God forbid that the slightest shadow of dishonor should ever fall upon [your]465-the baronet honored head — least of all through agency of [mine]146-sir michael . "[146-sir michael] [The young man]667-the young man uttered these few words in a broken and disjointed fashion in which [Sir Michael]146-sir michael had never heard [him]667-the young man speak , before , and then turning away [his]667-the young man head , fairly broke down . [He]667-the young man left [the court]373-the court that night , but [he]667-the young man did not go far . Instead of taking [the evening train]1838-the evening train for [London]3-london , [he]667-the young man went straight up to [the little village of]1839-the little village of [Mount Stanning]222-mount stanning , and walking into [the neatly - kept inn]1840-the neatly - kept inn , asked [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe if [he]667-the young man could be accommodated with [apartments]1841-apartments . [The little sitting - room into which [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe ushered [[the baronet]465-the baronet 's nephew]4893-the baronet 's nephew]1842-the little sitting - room into which phoebe marks ushered the baronet 's nephew was situated on the ground floor , and only separated by a lath - and - plaster partition from [the little bar - parlor occupied by [the innkeeper]1846-the innkeeper and [[his]1846-the innkeeper wife]554-his wife]1845-the little bar - parlor occupied by the innkeeper and his wife . It seemed as though [the wise architect who had superintended [the building of [the Castle Inn]1595-the castle inn]1849-the building of the castle inn]1848-the wise architect who had superintended the building of the castle inn had taken especial care that nothing but the frailest and most flimsy material should be used , and that the wind , having a special fancy for [this unprotected spot]1851-this unprotected spot , should have full play for the indulgence of [its]1595-the castle inn caprices . To this end pitiful woodwork had been used instead of solid masonry ; rickety ceilings had been propped up by fragile rafters , and beams that threatened on every stormy night to fall upon the heads of [those beneath them]1852-those beneath them ; doors whose specialty was never to be shut , yet always to be banging ; windows constructed with a peculiar view to letting in the draft when they were shut , and keeping out the air when they were open . [The hand of genius]1853-the hand of genius had devised [this lonely country inn]1854-this lonely country inn ; and there was not an inch of woodwork , or trowelful of plaster employed in all the rickety construction that did not offer its own peculiar weak point to every assault of its indefatigable foe . [Robert]173-robert looked about [him]173-robert with a feeble smile of resignation . It was a change , decidedly , from the luxurious comforts of [Audley Court]1-audley court , and it was rather a strange fancy of [the young barrister]5094-the young barrister to prefer loitering at [this dreary village hostelry]1856-this dreary village hostelry to returning to [[his]1846-the innkeeper snug chambers in [Figtree Court]14-figtree court]1857-his snug chambers in figtree court . But [he]1846-the innkeeper had brought [his]1846-the innkeeper Lares and [Penates]220-penates with [him]1846-the innkeeper , in the shape of [his]1846-the innkeeper German pipe , [his]1846-the innkeeper tobacco canister , half a dozen French novels , and [his]1846-the innkeeper two ill - conditioned , canine favorites , which sat shivering before the smoky little fire , barking shortly and sharply now and then , by way of hinting for some slight refreshment . While [Mr. Robert Audley]173-robert contemplated [[his]173-robert new quarters]1858-his new quarters , [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe summoned [a little village lad who was in the habit of running errands for [her]166-phoebe , and taking [him]1859-a little village lad who was in the habit of running errands for her , and taking him into the kitchen into [the kitchen]1860-the kitchen]1859-a little village lad who was in the habit of running errands for her , and taking him into the kitchen , gave [him]1859-a little village lad who was in the habit of running errands for her , and taking him into the kitchen a tiny note , carefully folded and sealed . " [You]1859-a little village lad who was in the habit of running errands for her , and taking him into the kitchen know [Audley Court]1-audley court ? "[1859-a little village lad who was in the habit of running errands for her , and taking him into the kitchen] " Yes , [mum]5828-mum . "[166-phoebe] " If [you]1859-a little village lad who was in the habit of running errands for her , and taking him into the kitchen 'll run [there]374-there with this letter to - night , and see that it 's put safely in [Lady Audley]150-lady audley 's hands , [I]1859-a little village lad who was in the habit of running errands for her , and taking him into the kitchen 'll give [you]1859-a little village lad who was in the habit of running errands for her , and taking him into the kitchen a shilling . "[1859-a little village lad who was in the habit of running errands for her , and taking him into the kitchen] " Yes , [mum]5828-mum . "[1859-a little village lad who was in the habit of running errands for her , and taking him into the kitchen] " [You]1859-a little village lad who was in the habit of running errands for her , and taking him into the kitchen understand ? Ask to see [[my]166-phoebe lady]468-my lady ; [you]1859-a little village lad who was in the habit of running errands for her , and taking him into the kitchen can say [you]1859-a little village lad who was in the habit of running errands for her , and taking him into the kitchen 've a message — not a note , mind — but a message from [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe ; and when [you]1859-a little village lad who was in the habit of running errands for her , and taking him into the kitchen see [her]468-my lady , give this into [her]468-my lady own hand . "[166-phoebe] " Yes , [mum]5828-mum . "[1859-a little village lad who was in the habit of running errands for her , and taking him into the kitchen] " [You]1859-a little village lad who was in the habit of running errands for her , and taking him into the kitchen wo n't forget ? "[1859-a little village lad who was in the habit of running errands for her , and taking him into the kitchen] " No , [mum]5828-mum . "[166-phoebe] " Then be off with [you]1859-a little village lad who was in the habit of running errands for her , and taking him into the kitchen . "[5049-the boy] [The boy]5049-the boy waited for no second bidding , but in another moment was scudding along [the lonely high road]1862-the lonely high road , down the sharp descent that led to [Audley]150-lady audley . [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe went to the window , and looked out at [the black figure of [the lad hurrying through the dusky winter evening]1864-the lad hurrying through the dusky winter evening]1863-the black figure of the lad hurrying through the dusky winter evening . " If there 's any bad meaning in [his]5049-the boy coming [here]4776-here , "[166-phoebe] [she]166-phoebe thought , " [[my]166-phoebe lady]468-my lady will know of it in time , at any rate . "[166-phoebe] [Phoebe]166-phoebe [herself]166-phoebe brought the neatly arranged tea - tray , and the little covered dish of ham and eggs which had been prepared for this unlooked - for visitor . [Her]166-phoebe pale hair was as smoothly braided , and [her]166-phoebe light gray dress fitted as precisely as of old . The same neutral tints pervaded [her]166-phoebe person and [her]166-phoebe dress ; no showy rose - colored ribbons or rustling silk gown proclaimed [[the well - to - do innkeeper]1865-the well - to - do innkeeper 's wife]1866-the well - to - do innkeeper 's wife . [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe was [a person who never lost [her]166-phoebe individuality]1867-a person who never lost her individuality . Silent and self - constrained , [she]166-phoebe seemed to hold [herself]166-phoebe within [herself]166-phoebe , and take no color from [the outer world]1868-the outer world . [Robert]173-robert looked at [her]166-phoebe thoughtfully as [she]166-phoebe spread the cloth , and drew the table nearer to the fireplace . " That , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert thought , " is [a woman who could keep a secret]5836-a woman who could keep a secret . "[173-robert] The dogs looked rather suspiciously at the quiet figure of [Mrs. Marks]221-mrs. marks gliding softly about [the room]595-the room , from the teapot to [the caddy]1870-the caddy , and from the caddy to the kettle singing on the hob . " Will [you]221-mrs. marks pour out [my]173-robert tea for [me]173-robert , [Mrs. Marks]221-mrs. marks ? "[173-robert] said [Robert]173-robert , seating [himself]173-robert on a horsehair - covered arm - chair , which fitted [him]173-robert as tightly in every direction as if [he]173-robert had been measured for it . " [You]173-robert have come straight from [the Court]373-the court , [sir]900-sir ? "[166-phoebe] said [Phoebe]166-phoebe , as [she]166-phoebe handed [Robert]173-robert the sugar - basin . " Yes ; [I]166-phoebe only left [[my]166-phoebe uncle]991-my uncle 's an hour ago . "[166-phoebe] " And [[my]166-phoebe lady]468-my lady , [sir]900-sir , was [she]468-my lady quite well ? "[166-phoebe] " Yes , quite well . "[166-phoebe] " As gay and light - hearted as ever , [sir]900-sir ? "[166-phoebe] " As gay and light - hearted as ever . "[166-phoebe] [Phoebe]166-phoebe retired respectfully after having given [Mr. Audley]173-robert [his]173-robert tea , but as [she]166-phoebe stood with [her]166-phoebe hand upon the lock of the door [he]173-robert spoke again . " [You]173-robert knew [Lady Audley]150-lady audley when [she]150-lady audley was [Miss Lucy Graham]152-miss graham , did [you]173-robert not ? "[173-robert] [he]173-robert asked . " Yes , [sir]900-sir . [I]173-robert lived at [Mrs. Dawson]154-mrs. dawson 's when [[my]173-robert lady]468-my lady was [governess there]5845-governess there . "[173-robert] " Indeed ! Was [she]468-my lady long in [[the surgeon]508-the surgeon 's family]589-the surgeon 's family ? "[173-robert] " A year and a half , [sir]900-sir . "[221-mrs. marks] " And [she]468-my lady came from [London]3-london ? "[173-robert] " Yes , [sir]900-sir . "[173-robert] " And [she]468-my lady was [an orphan]5850-an orphan , [I]221-mrs. marks believe ? "[221-mrs. marks] " Yes , [sir]900-sir . "[173-robert] " Always as cheerful as [she]468-my lady is now ? "[173-robert] " Always , [sir]900-sir . "[221-mrs. marks] [Robert]173-robert emptied [his]173-robert teacup and handed it to [Mrs. Marks]221-mrs. marks . [Their]1871-their eyes met — a lazy look in [his]173-robert , and an active , searching glance in [hers]221-mrs. marks . " [This woman]557-this woman would be good in [a witness - box]5854-a witness - box , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert thought ; " it would take [a clever lawyer]5855-a clever lawyer to bother [her]557-this woman in a cross - examination . "[173-robert] [He]173-robert finished [his]173-robert second cup of tea , pushed away [his]173-robert plate , fed [his]173-robert dogs , and lighted [his]173-robert pipe , while [Phoebe]166-phoebe carried off the tea - tray . The wind came whistling up across [the frosty open country]1872-the frosty open country , and through [the leafless woods]1873-the leafless woods , and rattled fiercely at the window - frames . " There 's a triangular draught from those two windows and the door that scarcely adds to the comfort of [this apartment]5856-this apartment , "[173-robert] murmured [Robert]173-robert ; " and there certainly are pleasantér sensations than that of standing up to one 's knees in cold water . "[173-robert] [He]173-robert poked the fire , patted [his]173-robert dogs , put on [his]173-robert great coat , rolled a rickety old sofa close to the hearth , wrapped [his]173-robert legs in [his]173-robert railway rug , and stretching [himself]173-robert at full length upon the narrow horsehair cushion , smoked [his]173-robert pipe , and watched the bluish - gray wreaths curling upward to the dingy ceiling . " No , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert murmured , again ; " that is [a woman who can keep a secret]5857-a woman who can keep a secret . [A counsel for the prosecution]5858-a counsel for the prosecution could get very little out of [her]5857-a woman who can keep a secret . "[173-robert] [I]0-i have said that [the bar - parlor]1874-the bar - parlor was only separated from [the sitting - room occupied by [Robert]173-robert]1875-the sitting - room occupied by robert by a lath - and - plaster partition . [The young barrister]5094-the young barrister could hear [the two or three village tradesmen]1877-the two or three village tradesmen and [a couple of farmers]1878-a couple of farmers laughing and talking round [the bar]4928-the bar , while [Luke Marks]167-luke served [them]1880-them from [his]167-luke stock of liquors . Very often [he]173-robert could even hear [their]1880-them words , especially [the landlord]5144-the landlord 's , for [he]173-robert spoke in a coarse , loud voice , and had a more boastful manner than [any of [[his]173-robert customers]1883-his customers]1882-any of his customers . " [The man]634-the man is [a fool]4668-a fool , "[173-robert] said [Robert]173-robert , as [he]173-robert laid down [his]173-robert pipe . " [I]173-robert 'll go and talk to [him]634-the man by - and - by . "[173-robert] [He]173-robert waited till [the few visitors to [the Castle]4914-the castle]1884-the few visitors to the castle had dropped away one by one , and when [Luke Marks]167-luke had bolted the door upon [the last of [[his]167-luke customers]1883-his customers]1886-the last of his customers , [he]173-robert strolled quietly into [the bar - parlor]1874-the bar - parlor , where [the landlord]5144-the landlord was seated with [[his]5144-the landlord wife]554-his wife . [Phoebe]166-phoebe was busy at a little table , upon which stood a prim work - box , with every reel of cotton and glistening steel bodkin in [its]1874-the bar - parlor appointed place . [She]166-phoebe was darning the coarse gray stockings that adorned [[her]166-phoebe husband]469-her husband 's awkward feet , but [she]166-phoebe did [her]166-phoebe work as daintily as if they had been [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady 's delicate silken hose . [I]0-i say that [she]166-phoebe took no color from external things , and that the vague air of refinement that pervaded [her]166-phoebe nature clung to [her]166-phoebe as closely in the society of [[her]166-phoebe boorish husband]1893-her boorish husband at [the Castle Inn]1595-the castle inn as in [[Lady Audley]150-lady audley 's boudoir at [the Court]373-the court]1895-lady audley 's boudoir at the court . [She]166-phoebe looked up suddenly as [Robert]173-robert entered [the bar - parlor]1874-the bar - parlor . There was some shade of vexation in [her]166-phoebe pale gray eyes , which changed to an expression of anxiety — nay , rather of almost terror — as [she]166-phoebe glanced from [Mr. Audley]173-robert to [Luke Marks]167-luke . " [I]173-robert have come in for a few minutes ' chat before [I]173-robert go to bed , "[173-robert] said [Robert]173-robert , settling [himself]173-robert very comfortably before the cheerful fire . " Would [you]166-phoebe object to a cigar , [Mrs. Marks]221-mrs. marks ? [I]173-robert mean , of course , to [my]173-robert smoking one , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert added , explanatorily . " Not at all , [sir]900-sir . "[173-robert] " It would be a good ' un [her]166-phoebe objectin ' to a bit o ' ' bacca , "[167-luke] growled [Mr. Marks]167-luke , " when [me]167-luke and [the customers]5862-the customers smokes all day . "[167-luke] [Robert]173-robert lighted [his]173-robert cigar with a gilt - paper match of [Phoebe]166-phoebe 's making that adorned the chimney - piece , and took half a dozen reflective puffs before [he]173-robert spoke . " [I]173-robert want [you]166-phoebe to tell [me]173-robert all about [Mount Stanning]222-mount stanning , [Mr. Marks]167-luke , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said , presently . " Then that 's pretty soon told , "[167-luke] replied [Luke]167-luke , with a harsh , grating laugh . " Of all the dull holes as ever [a man]445-a man set foot in , this is about the dullest . Not that [the business]5864-the business do n't pay pretty tidy ; [I]173-robert do n't complain of that ; but [I]173-robert should ha ' liked [a public at [Chelmsford]38-chelmsford]5865-a public at chelmsford , or [Brentwood]65-brentwood , or [Romford]66-romford , or some place where there 's a bit of life in [the streets]716-the streets ; and [I]173-robert might have had it , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert added , discontentedly , " if [folks]5867-folks had n't been so precious stingy . "[173-robert] As [[her]1898-her husband]469-her husband muttered this complaint in a grumbling undertone , [Phoebe]166-phoebe looked up from [her]166-phoebe work and spoke to [him]469-her husband . " [We]5868-we forgot the brew - house door , [Luke]167-luke , "[166-phoebe] [she]166-phoebe said . " Will [you]167-luke come with [me]166-phoebe and help [me]166-phoebe put up the bar ? "[166-phoebe] " [The brew - house]5869-the brew - house door can bide for to - night , "[167-luke] said [Mr. Marks]167-luke ; " [I]173-robert ai n't agoin ' to move now . [I]173-robert 've seated [myself]173-robert for a comfortable smoke . "[173-robert] [He]173-robert took a long clay pipe from a corner of the fender as [he]173-robert spoke , and began to fill it deliberately . " [I]554-his wife do n't feel easy about that brew - house door , [Luke]167-luke , "[554-his wife] remonstrated [[his]173-robert wife]554-his wife ; " there are always [tramps]5870-tramps about , and [they]5870-tramps can get in easily when [the bar]4928-the bar is n't up . "[554-his wife] " Go and put the bar up [yourself]167-luke , then , ca n't [you]167-luke ? "[167-luke] answered [Mr. Marks]167-luke . " It 's too heavy for [me]167-luke to lift . "[167-luke] " Then let it bide , if [you]167-luke 're too fine [a lady]1799-a lady to see to it [yourself]167-luke . [You]167-luke 're very anxious all of a sudden about this [here brew - house]5873-here brew - house door . [I]554-his wife suppose [you]167-luke do n't want [me]554-his wife to open [my]554-his wife mouth to this here gent , that 's about it . Oh , [you]167-luke need n't frown at [me]554-his wife to stop [my]554-his wife speaking ! [You]167-luke 're always putting in [your]167-luke tongue and clipping off [my]554-his wife words before [I]554-his wife 've half said 'em ; but [I]554-his wife wo n't stand it . "[554-his wife] " Do [you]167-luke hear ? [I]166-phoebe wo n't stand it ! "[166-phoebe] [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe shrugged [her]166-phoebe shoulders , folded [her]166-phoebe work , shut [her]166-phoebe work - box , and crossing [her]166-phoebe hands in [her]166-phoebe lap , sat with [her]166-phoebe gray eyes fixed upon [[her]166-phoebe husband]469-her husband 's bull - like face . " Then [you]167-luke do n't particularly care to live at [Mount Stanning]69-mount stanning ? "[173-robert] said [Robert]173-robert , politely , as if anxious to change the conversation . " No , [I]167-luke do n't , "[167-luke] answered [Luke]167-luke ; " and [I]167-luke do n't care who knows it ; and , as [I]167-luke said before , if [folks]5867-folks had n't been so precious stingy , [I]167-luke might have had a public in [a thrivin ' market town]5875-a thrivin ' market town , instead of [this tumble - down old place , where [a man]445-a man has [his]445-a man hair blowed off [his]445-a man head on a windy day]5876-this tumble - down old place , where a man has his hair blowed off his head on a windy day . What 's fifty pound , or what 's a hundred pound — "[167-luke] " [Luke]167-luke ! [Luke]167-luke ! "[173-robert] " No , [you]167-luke 're not goin' to stop [my]167-luke mouth with all [your]167-luke ' [Luke]167-luke , [Lukes]223-lukes ! ' "[167-luke] answered [Mr. Marks]167-luke to [[his]167-luke wife]554-his wife 's remonstrance . " [I]167-luke say again , what 's a hundred pound ? "[167-luke] " No , "[173-robert] answered [Robert Audley]173-robert , with wonderful distinctness , and addressing [his]173-robert words to [Luke Marks]167-luke , but fixing [his]173-robert eyes upon [Phoebe]166-phoebe 's anxious face . " What , indeed , is a hundred pounds to [a man possessed of the power which [you]173-robert hold , or rather which [[your]173-robert wife]4675-your wife holds , over [the person in question]5880-the person in question]5878-a man possessed of the power which you hold , or rather which your wife holds , over the person in question . "[173-robert] [Phoebe]166-phoebe 's face , at all times almost colorless , seemed scarcely capable of growing paler ; but as [her]166-phoebe eyelids drooped under [Robert Audley]173-robert 's searching glance , a visible change came over the pallid hues of [her]166-phoebe complexion . " A quarter to twelve , "[173-robert] said [Robert]173-robert , looking at [his]173-robert watch . " Late hours for [such a quiet village as [Mount Stanning]69-mount stanning]5881-such a quiet village as mount stanning . Good - night , [[my]173-robert worthy host]5882-my worthy host . Good - night , [Mrs. Marks]221-mrs. marks . [You]221-mrs. marks need n't send [me]173-robert [my]173-robert shaving water till nine o'clock to - morrow morning . "[173-robert] Eleven o'clock struck the next morning , and found [Mr. Robert Audley]173-robert still lounging over the well ordered little breakfast table , with one of [his]173-robert dogs at each side of [his]173-robert arm - chair , regarding [him]173-robert with watchful eyes and opened mouths , awaiting the expected morsel of ham or toast . [Robert]173-robert had a county paper on [his]173-robert knees , and made a feeble effort now and then to read the first page , which was filled with advertisements of farming stock , quack medicines , and other interesting matter . The weather had changed , and the snow , which had for the last few days been looming blackly in the frosty sky , fell in great feathery flakes against the windows , and lay piled in the little bit of garden - ground without . [The long , lonely road]1903-the long , lonely road leading toward [Audley]150-lady audley seemed untrodden by a footstep , as [Robert Audley]173-robert looked out at [the wintry landscape]1904-the wintry landscape . " Lively , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said , " for [a man used to the fascinations of [Temple Bar]67-temple bar]5883-a man used to the fascinations of temple bar . "[173-robert] As [he]173-robert watched the snow - flakes falling every moment thicker and faster upon [the lonely road]1905-the lonely road , [he]173-robert was surprised by seeing a brougham driving slowly up [the hill]1906-the hill . " [I]173-robert wonder what [unhappy wretch]5884-unhappy wretch has too restless a spirit to stop at [home]479-home on such a morning as this , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert muttered , as [he]173-robert returned to the arm - chair by the fire . [He]173-robert had only reseated [himself]173-robert a few moments when [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe entered [the room]595-the room to announce [Lady Audley]150-lady audley . " [Lady Audley]150-lady audley ! Pray beg [her]150-lady audley to come in , "[173-robert] said [Robert]173-robert ; and then , as [Phoebe]166-phoebe left [the room]595-the room to usher in [this unexpected visitor]1909-this unexpected visitor , [he]173-robert muttered between [his]173-robert teeth—"A false move , [[my]173-robert lady]468-my lady , and one [I]173-robert never looked for from [you]468-my lady . "[173-robert] [Lucy Audley]197-lucy was radiant on this cold and snowy January morning . [Other people]1822-other people 's noses are rudely assailed by the sharp fingers of [the grim ice - king]1911-the grim ice - king , but not [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady 's ; [other people]1822-other people 's lips turn pale and blue with the chilling influence of the bitter weather , but [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady 's pretty little rosebud of a mouth retained its brightest coloring and cheeriest freshness . [She]197-lucy was wrapped in the very sables which [Robert Audley]173-robert had brought from [Russia]68-russia , and carried a muff that [the young man]667-the young man thought seemed almost as big as [herself]197-lucy . [She]197-lucy looked [a childish , helpless , babyfied little creature]1916-a childish , helpless , babyfied little creature ; and [Robert]173-robert looked down upon [her]197-lucy with some touch of pity in [his]173-robert eyes , as [she]197-lucy came up to the hearth by which [he]173-robert was standing , and warmed [her]197-lucy tiny gloved hands at the blaze . " What a morning , [Mr. Audley]173-robert ! "[197-lucy] [she]197-lucy said , " what a morning ! "[197-lucy] " Yes , indeed ! Why did [you]667-the young man come out in such weather ? "[173-robert] " Because [I]0-i wished to see [you]667-the young man — particularly . "[0-i] " Indeed ! "[197-lucy] " Yes , "[197-lucy] said [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , with an air of considerable embarrassment , playing with the button of [her]197-lucy glove , and almost wrenching it off in [her]197-lucy restlessness—"yes , [Mr. Audley]173-robert , [I]197-lucy felt that [you]173-robert had not been well treated ; that — that [you]173-robert had , in short , reason to complain ; and that an apology was due to [you]173-robert . "[197-lucy] " [I]197-lucy do not wish for any apology , [Lady Audley]150-lady audley . "[197-lucy] " But [you]173-robert are entitled to one , "[468-my lady] answered [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , quietly . " Why , [[my]468-my lady dear]4626-my dear [Robert]173-robert , should [we]5888-we be so ceremonious toward [each other]4890-each other ? [You]173-robert were very comfortable at [Audley]150-lady audley ; [we]5888-we were very glad to have [you]173-robert [there]374-there ; but , [[my]468-my lady dear , silly husband]5891-my dear , silly husband must needs take it into [his]5891-my dear , silly husband foolish head that it is dangerous for [[his]5891-my dear , silly husband poor little wife]5892-his poor little wife 's peace of mind to have [a nephew of eight or nine and twenty]5893-a nephew of eight or nine and twenty smoking [his]5893-a nephew of eight or nine and twenty cigars in [her]5892-his poor little wife boudoir , and , behold ! [[our]5888-we pleasant little family circle]5894-our pleasant little family circle is broken up . "[468-my lady] [Lucy Audley]197-lucy spoke with that peculiar childish vivacity which seemed so natural to [her]197-lucy , [Robert]173-robert looking down almost sadly at [her]197-lucy bright , animated face . " [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said , " Heaven forbid that either [you]150-lady audley or [I]173-robert should ever bring grief or dishonor upon [[my]173-robert uncle]991-my uncle 's generous heart ! Better , perhaps , that [I]173-robert should be out of [the house]388-the house — better , perhaps , that [I]173-robert had never entered it ! "[173-robert] [[My]0-i lady]468-my lady had been looking at the fire while [[her]468-my lady nephew]5188-her nephew spoke , but at [his]173-robert last words [she]468-my lady lifted [her]468-my lady head suddenly , and looked [him]173-robert full in the face with a wondering expression — an earnest , questioning gaze , whose full meaning [the young barrister]5094-the young barrister understood . " Oh , pray do not be alarmed , [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said , gravely . " [You]150-lady audley have no sentimental nonsense , no silly infatuation , borrowed from [Balzac]224-balzac or Dumas fils , to fear from [me]173-robert . [The benchers of the Inner Temple]5897-the benchers of the inner temple will tell [you]150-lady audley that [Robert Audley]173-robert is troubled with none of [the epidemics whose outward signs are turn - down collars and Byronic neckties]5898-the epidemics whose outward signs are turn - down collars and byronic neckties . [I]173-robert say that [I]173-robert wish [I]173-robert had never entered [[[my]173-robert uncle]991-my uncle 's house]5900-my uncle 's house during the last year ; but [I]173-robert say it with a far more solemn meaning than any sentimental one . "[173-robert] [[My]0-i lady]468-my lady shrugged [her]468-my lady shoulders . " If [you]173-robert insist on talking in enigmas , [Mr. Audley]173-robert , "[468-my lady] [she]468-my lady said , " [you]173-robert must forgive [a poor little woman]5721-a poor little woman if [she]5721-a poor little woman declines to answer [them]5902-them . "[468-my lady] [Robert]173-robert made no reply to this speech . " But tell [me]468-my lady , "[468-my lady] said [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , with an entire change of tone , " what could have induced [you]173-robert to come up to [this dismal place]5903-this dismal place ? "[468-my lady] " Curiosity . "[468-my lady] " Curiosity ? "[468-my lady] " Yes ; [I]468-my lady felt an interest in [that bull - necked man , with the dark - red hair and wicked gray eyes]5904-that bull - necked man , with the dark - red hair and wicked gray eyes . [A dangerous man]5905-a dangerous man , [[my]468-my lady lady]468-my lady — [a man in whose power [I]468-my lady should not like to be]5907-a man in whose power i should not like to be . "[468-my lady] A sudden change came over [Lady Audley]150-lady audley 's face ; the pretty , roseate flush faded out from [her]150-lady audley cheeks , and left them waxen white , and angry flashes lightened in [her]150-lady audley blue eyes . " What have [I]150-lady audley done to [you]1924-you , [Robert Audley]173-robert , "[150-lady audley] [she]150-lady audley cried , passionately—"what have [I]150-lady audley done to [you]1924-you that [you]1924-you should hate [me]150-lady audley so ? "[150-lady audley] [He]1924-you answered [her]150-lady audley very gravely : " [I]1924-you had [a friend]5908-a friend , [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , whom [I]1924-you loved very dearly , and since [I]1924-you have lost [him]5908-a friend [I]1924-you fear that [my]1924-you feelings toward [other people]1822-other people are strangely embittered . "[1924-you] " [You]1924-you mean [the Mr. Talboys]157-george who went to [Australia]11-australia ? "[150-lady audley] " Yes , [I]150-lady audley mean [the Mr. Talboys who [I]150-lady audley was told set out for [Liverpool]6-liverpool with the idea of going to [Australia]11-australia]225-the mr. talboys who i was told set out for liverpool with the idea of going to australia . "[150-lady audley] " And [you]1924-you do not believe in [his]5908-a friend having sailed for [Australia]11-australia ? "[1924-you] " [I]150-lady audley do not . "[150-lady audley] " But why not ? "[150-lady audley] " Forgive [me]1924-you , [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , if [I]1924-you decline to answer that question . "[1924-you] " As [you]1924-you please , "[1925-she] [she]1925-she said , carelessly . " A week after [[my]173-robert friend]836-my friend disappeared , "[173-robert] continued [Robert]173-robert , " [I]173-robert posted an advertisement to the [Sydney]5-sydney and [Melbourne]10-melbourne papers , calling upon [him]5908-a friend if [he]5908-a friend was in [either city]5911-either city when the advertisement appeared , to write and tell [me]173-robert of [his]5908-a friend whereabouts , and also calling on [any one who had met [him]5908-a friend , either in [the colonies]623-the colonies or on the voyage out , to give [me]173-robert any information respecting [him]5908-a friend]5912-any one who had met him , either in the colonies or on the voyage out , to give me any information respecting him . [George Talboys]157-george left [Essex]2-essex , or disappeared from [Essex]2-essex , on the 6th of September last . [I]173-robert ought to receive some answer to this advertisement by the end of this month . To - day is the 27th ; the time draws very near . "[173-robert] " And if [you]173-robert receive no answer ? "[150-lady audley] asked [Lady Audley]150-lady audley . " If [I]150-lady audley receive no answer [I]150-lady audley shall think that [my]150-lady audley fears have been not unfounded , and [I]150-lady audley shall do [my]150-lady audley best to act . "[150-lady audley] " What do [you]173-robert mean by that ? "[1924-you] " Ah , [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , [you]150-lady audley remind [me]173-robert how very powerless [I]173-robert am in this matter . [[My]173-robert friend]836-my friend might have been made away with in [this very inn]5915-this very inn , and [I]173-robert might stay [here]4776-here for a twelvemonth , and go away at the last as ignorant of [his]836-my friend fate as if [I]173-robert had never crossed the threshold . What do [we]5917-we know of the mysteries that may hang about [the houses [we]5917-we enter]5918-the houses we enter ? If [I]173-robert were to go to - morrow into [that commonplace , plebeian , eight - roomed house in which [Maria Manning]226-maria manning]5919-that commonplace , plebeian , eight - roomed house in which maria manning and [[her]5920-her husband]469-her husband murdered [[their]5920-her guest]5922-their guest , [I]173-robert should have no awful prescience of that bygone horror . Foul deeds have been done under the most hospitable roofs ; terrible crimes have been committed amid the fairest scenes , and have left no trace upon the spot where they were done . [I]173-robert do not believe in mandrake , or in bloodstains that no time can efface . [I]173-robert believe rather that [we]5917-we may walk unconsciously in an atmosphere of crime , and breathe none the less freely . [I]173-robert believe that [we]5917-we may look into the smiling face of [a murderer]5923-a murderer , and admire its tranquil beauty . "[173-robert] [[My]0-i lady]468-my lady laughed at [Robert]173-robert 's earnestness . " [You]173-robert seem to have quite a taste for discussing these horrible subjects , "[468-my lady] [she]468-my lady said , rather scornfully ; " [you]173-robert ought to have been [a detective police officer]5924-a detective police officer . "[468-my lady] " [I]173-robert sometimes think [I]173-robert should have been [a good one]5925-a good one . "[173-robert] " Why ? "[173-robert] " Because [I]468-my lady am patient . "[468-my lady] " But to return to [Mr. George Talboys]157-george , whom [we]5917-we lost sight of in [your]173-robert eloquent discussion . What if [you]173-robert receive no answer to [your]173-robert advertisements ? "[173-robert] " [I]173-robert shall then consider [myself]173-robert justified in concluding [[my]173-robert friend]836-my friend is dead . "[173-robert] " Yes , and then — ? "[468-my lady] " [I]173-robert shall examine the effects [he]157-george left at [[my]173-robert chambers]860-my chambers . "[173-robert] " Indeed ! and what are they ? Coats , waistcoats , varnished boots , and meerschaum pipes , [I]150-lady audley suppose , "[150-lady audley] said [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , laughing . " No ; letters — letters from [[his]157-george friends]4853-his friends , [[his]157-george old schoolfellows]5929-his old schoolfellows , [[his]157-george father]709-his father , [[his]157-george brother]5199-his brother [officers]5932-officers . "[150-lady audley] " Yes ? "[173-robert] " Letters , too , from [[his]157-george wife]554-his wife . "[0-i] [[My]0-i lady]468-my lady was silent for some few moments , looking thoughtfully at the fire . " Have [you]0-i ever seen any of the letters written by [the late Mrs. Talboys]181-george talboys ? "[468-my lady] [she]468-my lady asked presently . " Never . [Poor soul]1056-poor soul ! [her]181-george talboys letters are not likely to throw much light upon [[my]468-my lady friend]836-my friend 's fate . [I]468-my lady dare say [she]181-george talboys wrote the usual womanly scrawl . There are [very few who write so charming and uncommon a hand as yours]5936-very few who write so charming and uncommon a hand as yours , [Lady Audley]150-lady audley . "[468-my lady] " Ah , [you]150-lady audley know [my]468-my lady hand , of course . "[468-my lady] " Yes , [I]0-i know it very well indeed . "[0-i] [[My]0-i lady]468-my lady warmed [her]468-my lady hands once more , and then taking up the big muff which [she]468-my lady had laid aside upon a chair , prepared to take [her]468-my lady departure . " [You]0-i have refused to accept [my]468-my lady apology , [Mr. Audley]173-robert , "[468-my lady] [she]468-my lady said ; " but [I]468-my lady trust [you]0-i are not the less assured of [my]468-my lady feelings toward [you]0-i . "[468-my lady] " Perfectly assured , [Lady Audley]150-lady audley . "[0-i] " Then good - by , and let [me]468-my lady recommend [you]0-i not to stay long in [this miserable draughty place]5937-this miserable draughty place , if [you]0-i do not wish to take rheumatism back to [Figtree Court]14-figtree court . "[468-my lady] " [I]468-my lady shall return to [town]864-town to - morrow morning to see after [my]468-my lady letters . "[468-my lady] " Then once more good - by . "[468-my lady] [She]468-my lady held out [her]468-my lady hand ; [he]1929-he took it loosely in [his]1929-he own . It seemed such a feeble little hand that [he]1929-he might have crushed it in [his]1929-he strong grasp , had [he]1929-he chosen to be so pitiless . [He]1929-he attended [her]468-my lady to [[her]468-my lady carriage]1930-her carriage , and watched [it]1930-her carriage as [it]1930-her carriage drove off , not toward [Audley]150-lady audley , but in the direction of [Brentwood]65-brentwood , which was about six miles from [Mount Stanning]69-mount stanning . About an hour and a half after this , as [Robert]173-robert stood at the door of [the inn]5152-the inn , smoking a cigar and watching the snow falling in [the whitened fields]1932-the whitened fields opposite , [he]173-robert saw the brougham drive back , empty this time , to the door of [the inn]5152-the inn . " Have [you]1934-the coachman , who had stopped to call for a mug of hot spiced ale taken [Lady Audley]150-lady audley back to [the Court]373-the court ? "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said to [the coachman , who had stopped to call for a mug of hot spiced ale]1934-the coachman , who had stopped to call for a mug of hot spiced ale . " No , [sir]900-sir ; [I]173-robert 've just come from [the Brentwood station]5941-the brentwood station . [[My]173-robert lady]468-my lady started for [London]3-london by [the 12.40 train]5943-the 12.40 train . "[173-robert] " For [town]864-town ? "[173-robert] " Yes , [sir]900-sir . "[173-robert] " [[My]173-robert lady]468-my lady gone to [London]3-london ! "[173-robert] said [Robert]173-robert , as [he]173-robert returned to [the little sitting - room]1224-the little sitting - room . " Then [I]173-robert 'll follow [her]468-my lady by [the next train]5947-the next train ; and if [I]173-robert 'm not very much mistaken , [I]173-robert know where to find [her]468-my lady . "[173-robert] [He]173-robert packed [his]173-robert portmanteau , paid [his]173-robert bill , fastened [his]173-robert dogs together with a couple of leathern collars and a chain , and stepped into the rumbling fly kept by [the Castle Inn]1595-the castle inn for the convenience of [Mount Stanning]69-mount stanning . [He]173-robert caught [an express]4960-an express that left [Brentwood]65-brentwood at three o'clock , and settled [himself]173-robert comfortably in a corner of [an empty first - class carriage]1938-an empty first - class carriage , coiled up in a couple of railway rugs , and smoking a cigar in mild defiance of [the authorities]1939-the authorities . It was exactly five minutes past four as [Mr. Robert Audley]173-robert stepped out upon [the platform at [Shoreditch]70-shoreditch]1940-the platform at shoreditch , and waited placidly until such time as [his]173-robert dogs and [his]173-robert portmanteau should be delivered up to [the attendant porter who had called [[his]173-robert cab]1942-his cab , and undertaken the general conduct of [his]173-robert affairs , with that disinterested courtesy which does such infinite credit to [a class of servitors who are forbidden to accept the tribute of [a grateful public]1944-a grateful public]1943-a class of servitors who are forbidden to accept the tribute of a grateful public]1941-the attendant porter who had called his cab , and undertaken the general conduct of his affairs , with that disinterested courtesy which does such infinite credit to a class of servitors who are forbidden to accept the tribute of a grateful public . [Robert Audley]173-robert waited with consummate patience for a considerable time ; but as [the express]1945-the express was generally [a long train]1946-a long train , and as there were [a great many passengers from [Norfolk]60-norfolk]1947-a great many passengers from norfolk carrying guns and pointers , and other paraphernalia of a critical description , it took a long while to make matters agreeable to [all claimants]1948-all claimants , and even [the barrister]955-the barrister 's seraphic indifference to mundane affairs nearly gave way . " Perhaps , when [that gentleman who is making such a noise about a pointer with liver - colored spots]5948-that gentleman who is making such a noise about a pointer with liver - colored spots , has discovered the particular pointer and spots that [he]5948-that gentleman who is making such a noise about a pointer with liver - colored spots wants — which happy combination of events scarcely seems likely to arrive — [they'll]5948-that gentleman who is making such a noise about a pointer with liver - colored spots give [me]955-the barrister [my]955-the barrister luggage and let [me]955-the barrister go . [The designing wretches]5949-the designing wretches knew at a glance that [I]955-the barrister was born to be imposed upon ; and that if [they]5949-the designing wretches were to trample the life out of [me]955-the barrister upon [this very platform]5950-this very platform , [I]955-the barrister should never have the spirit to bring an action against [the company]5951-the company . "[955-the barrister] Suddenly an idea seemed to strike [him]173-robert , and [he]173-robert left [the porter]1950-the porter to struggle for the custody of [his]173-robert goods , and walked round to the other side of [the station]1271-the station . [He]173-robert heard a bell ring , and looking at the clock , had remembered that the down train for [Colchester]39-colchester started at this time . [He]173-robert had learned what it was to have an earnest purpose since the disappearance of [George Talboys]181-george talboys ; and [he]173-robert reached [the opposite platform]1952-the opposite platform in time to see [the passengers]672-the passengers take [their]672-the passengers seats . There was [one lady who had evidently only just arrived at [the station]1271-the station]1954-one lady who had evidently only just arrived at the station ; for [she]1954-one lady who had evidently only just arrived at the station hurried on to [the platform]1421-the platform at the very moment that [Robert]173-robert approached [the train]1957-the train , and almost ran against [that gentleman]4886-that gentleman in [her]1954-one lady who had evidently only just arrived at the station haste and excitement . " [I]1954-one lady who had evidently only just arrived at the station beg [your]173-robert pardon , "[1954-one lady who had evidently only just arrived at the station] [she]1954-one lady who had evidently only just arrived at the station began , ceremoniously ; then raising [her]1954-one lady who had evidently only just arrived at the station eyes from [Mr. Audley]173-robert 's waistcoat , which was about on a level with [her]1954-one lady who had evidently only just arrived at the station pretty face , [she]1954-one lady who had evidently only just arrived at the station exclaimed , " [Robert]173-robert , [you]173-robert in [London]3-london already ? "[1954-one lady who had evidently only just arrived at the station] " Yes , [Lady Audley]150-lady audley ; [you]173-robert were quite right ; [the Castle Inn]54-the castle inn is [a dismal place]5952-a dismal place , and — "[1954-one lady who had evidently only just arrived at the station] " [You]173-robert got tired of it — [I]1954-one lady who had evidently only just arrived at the station knew [you]173-robert would . Please open the carriage door for [me]1954-one lady who had evidently only just arrived at the station : [the train]1957-the train will start in two minutes . "[1954-one lady who had evidently only just arrived at the station] [Robert Audley]173-robert was looking at [[his]173-robert uncle]4872-his uncle 's wife with rather a puzzled expression of countenance . " What does it mean ? "[173-robert] [he]173-robert thought . " [She]1960-her is altogether a different being to the wretched , helpless creature who dropped [her]1960-her mask for a moment , and looked at [me]173-robert with [her]1960-her own pitiful face , in [the little room at [Mount Stanning]69-mount stanning]5954-the little room at mount stanning , four hours ago . What has happened to cause the change ? "[173-robert] [He]173-robert opened the door for [her]1960-her while [he]173-robert thought this , and helped [her]1960-her to settle [herself]1960-her in [her]1960-her seat , spreading [her]1960-her furs over [her]1960-her knees , and arranging the huge velvet mantle in which [her]1960-her slender little figure was almost hidden . " Thank [you]173-robert very much ; how good [you]173-robert are to [me]1960-her , "[1960-her] [she]1960-her said , as [he]173-robert did this . " [You]173-robert will think [me]1960-her very foolish to travel upon such a day , without [[my]1960-her dear darling]5955-my dear darling 's knowledge too ; but [I]1960-her went up to [town]864-town to settle [a very terrific milliner]5957-a very terrific milliner 's bill , which [I]1960-her did not wish [[my]1960-her best of husbands]5958-my best of husbands to see ; for , indulgent as [he]173-robert is , [he]173-robert might think [me]1960-her extravagant ; and [I]1960-her can not bear to suffer even in [his]173-robert thoughts . "[1960-her] " Heaven forbid that [you]1960-her ever should , [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , "[173-robert] [Robert]173-robert said , gravely . [She]1960-her looked at [him]173-robert for a moment with a smile , which had something defiant in its brightness . " Heaven forbid it , indeed , "[1960-her] [she]1960-her murmured . " [I]1960-her do n't think [I]1960-her ever shall . "[1960-her] The second bell rung , and [the train]1957-the train moved as [she]1960-her spoke . The last [Robert Audley]173-robert saw of [her]1960-her was that bright defiant smile . " Whatever object brought [her]1960-her to [London]3-london has been successfully accomplished , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert thought . " Has [she]1960-her baffled [me]173-robert by some piece of [womanly jugglery]5959-womanly jugglery ? Am [I]173-robert never to get any nearer to the truth , but am [I]173-robert to be tormented all [my]173-robert life by vague doubts , and wretched suspicions , which may grow upon [me]173-robert till [I]173-robert become [a monomaniac]5960-a monomaniac ? Why did [she]1960-her come to [London]3-london ? "[173-robert] [He]173-robert was still mentally asking [himself]173-robert this question as [he]173-robert ascended the stairs in [Figtree Court]14-figtree court , with one of [his]173-robert dogs under each arm , and [his]173-robert railway rugs over [his]173-robert shoulder . [He]173-robert found [[his]173-robert chambers]4865-his chambers in [their]4865-his chambers accustomed order . [The geraniums]1963-the geraniums had been carefully tended , and [the canaries]1964-the canaries had retired for the night under cover of [a square of green baize]1965-a square of green baize , testifying to the care of [honest Mrs. Maloney]202-mrs. maloney . [Robert]173-robert cast a hurried glance round [the sitting - room]5373-the sitting - room ; then setting down the dogs upon the hearth - rug , [he]173-robert walked straight into [the little inner chamber which served as [his]173-robert dressing - room]1967-the little inner chamber which served as his dressing - room . It was in [this room]5247-this room that [he]173-robert kept disused portmanteaus , battered japanned cases , and other lumber ; and it was in [this room]5247-this room that [George Talboys]181-george talboys had left [his]173-robert luggage . [Robert]173-robert lifted a portmanteau from the top of a large trunk , and kneeling down before it with a lighted candle in [his]173-robert hand , carefully examined the lock . To all appearance it was exactly in the same condition in which [George]181-george talboys had left it , when [he]173-robert laid [his]173-robert mourning garments aside and placed them in this shabby repository with all other memorials of [[his]173-robert dead wife]5028-his dead wife . [Robert]173-robert brushed [his]173-robert coat sleeve across the worn , leather - covered lid , upon which the initials G. T. were inscribed with big brass - headed nails ; but [Mrs. Maloney]202-mrs. maloney , [the laundress]1316-the laundress , must have been the most precise of [housewives]1972-housewives , for neither the portmanteau nor the trunk were dusty . [Mr. Audley]173-robert dispatched [a boy]472-a boy to fetch [[his]173-robert Irish attendant]1974-his irish attendant , and paced up and down [[his]173-robert sitting - room]1975-his sitting - room waiting anxiously for [her]1974-his irish attendant arrival . [She]1974-his irish attendant came in about ten minutes , and , after expressing [her]1974-his irish attendant delight in the return of " [the master]5961-the master , "[1974-his irish attendant] humbly awaited [his]173-robert orders . " [I]1974-his irish attendant only sent for [you]173-robert to ask if [anybody]706-anybody has been [here]4776-here ; that is to say , if [anybody]706-anybody has applied to [you]173-robert for the key of [[my]1974-his irish attendant rooms]5965-my rooms to - day — [any lady]5345-any lady ? "[1974-his irish attendant] " [Lady]1526-lady ? No , indeed , [yer]173-robert honor ; there 's been [no lady]5968-no lady for [the kay]5969-the kay ; barrin ' it 's [the blacksmith]5970-the blacksmith . "[1974-his irish attendant] " [The blacksmith]5970-the blacksmith ! "[202-mrs. maloney] " Yes ; [the blacksmith [your]173-robert honor]5972-the blacksmith your honor ordered to come to - day . "[1974-his irish attendant] " [I]173-robert order [a blacksmith]5973-a blacksmith ! "[173-robert] exclaimed [Robert]173-robert . " [I]173-robert left a bottle of French brandy in the cupboard , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert thought , " and [Mrs. M.]227-mrs. m. has been evidently enjoying [herself]202-mrs. maloney . "[173-robert] " Sure , and [the blacksmith]5970-the blacksmith [your]173-robert honor tould to see to the locks , "[202-mrs. maloney] replied [Mrs. Maloney]202-mrs. maloney . " It 's [him]634-the man that lives down in [one of [the little streets]5976-the little streets by [the bridge]5977-the bridge]5975-one of the little streets by the bridge , "[202-mrs. maloney] [she]202-mrs. maloney added , giving a very lucid description of [the man]634-the man 's whereabouts . [Robert]173-robert lifted [his]173-robert eyebrows in mute despair . " If [you]202-mrs. maloney 'll sit down and compose [yourself]202-mrs. maloney , [Mrs. M.]227-mrs. m. , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said — [he]173-robert abbreviated [her]202-mrs. maloney name thus on principle , for the avoidance of unnecessary labor—"perhaps [we]5978-we shall be able by and by to understand [each other]4890-each other . [You]227-mrs. m. say [a blacksmith]5973-a blacksmith has been [here]4776-here ? "[173-robert] " Sure and [I]173-robert did , [sir]900-sir . "[173-robert] " To - day ? "[173-robert] " Quite correct , [sir]900-sir . "[173-robert] Step by step [Mr. Audley]173-robert elicited the following information . [A locksmith]1977-a locksmith had called upon [Mrs. Maloney]202-mrs. maloney that afternoon at three o'clock , and had asked for the key of [[Mr. Audley]173-robert 's chambers]1978-mr. audley 's chambers , in order that [he]1977-a locksmith might look to the locks of the doors , which [he]1977-a locksmith stated were all out of repair . [He]1977-a locksmith declared that [he]1977-a locksmith was acting upon [Mr. Audley]173-robert 's own orders , conveyed to [him]1977-a locksmith by a letter from [the country]474-the country , where [the gentleman]4994-the gentleman was spending [his]4994-the gentleman Christmas . [Mrs. Maloney]202-mrs. maloney , believing in the truth of this statement , had admitted [the man]634-the man to [the chambers]1323-the chambers , where [he]634-the man stayed about half an hour . " But [you]202-mrs. maloney were with [him]634-the man while [he]634-the man examined the locks , [I]173-robert suppose ? "[173-robert] [Mr. Audley]173-robert asked . " Sure [I]173-robert was , [sir]900-sir , in and out , as [you]900-sir may say , all the time , for [I]173-robert 've been cleaning the stairs this afternoon , and [I]173-robert took the opportunity to begin [my]173-robert scouring while [the man]634-the man was at work . "[173-robert] " Oh , [you]202-mrs. maloney were in and out all the time . If [you]202-mrs. maloney could conveniently give [me]202-mrs. maloney a plain answer , [Mrs. M.]227-mrs. m. , [I]202-mrs. maloney should be glad to know what was the longest time that [you]202-mrs. maloney were out while [the locksmith]5986-the locksmith was in [[my]202-mrs. maloney chambers]860-my chambers ? "[202-mrs. maloney] But [Mrs. Maloney]202-mrs. maloney could not give a plain answer . It might have been ten minutes ; though [she]202-mrs. maloney did n't think it was as much . It might have been a quarter of an hour ; but [she]202-mrs. maloney was sure it was n't more . It did n't seem to [her]202-mrs. maloney more than five minutes , but " thim stairs , [[your]173-robert honor]5988-your honor ; "[202-mrs. maloney] and here [she]202-mrs. maloney rambled off into a disquisition upon the scouring of stairs in general , and the stairs outside [[Robert]173-robert 's chambers]1983-robert 's chambers in particular . [Mr. Audley]173-robert sighed the weary sigh of mournful resignation . " Never mind , [Mrs. M.]227-mrs. m. , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said ; " [the locksmith]5986-the locksmith had plenty of time to do anything [he]5986-the locksmith wanted to do , [I]173-robert dare say , without [your]227-mrs. m. being any the wiser . "[173-robert] [Mrs. Maloney]202-mrs. maloney stared at [[her]202-mrs. maloney employer]542-her employer with mingled surprise and alarm . " Sure , there was n't anything for [him]5986-the locksmith to stale , [[your]227-mrs. m. honor]5988-your honor , barrin ' the birds and [the geran'ums]5991-the geran'ums , and — "[202-mrs. maloney] " No , no , [I]173-robert understand . There , that 'll do , [Mrs. M.]227-mrs. m. Tell [me]173-robert where [the man]634-the man lives , and [I]173-robert 'll go and see [him]634-the man . "[173-robert] " But [you]173-robert 'll have a bit of dinner first , [sir]900-sir ? "[202-mrs. maloney] " [I]542-her employer 'll go and see [the locksmith]5986-the locksmith before [I]542-her employer have [my]542-her employer dinner . "[542-her employer] [He]542-her employer took up [his]542-her employer hat as [he]542-her employer announced [his]542-her employer determination , and walked toward the door . " [The man]634-the man 's address , [Mrs. M]228-mrs. m ? "[542-her employer] [The Irishwoman]1985-the irishwoman directed [him]542-her employer to [a small street at the back of [St. Bride 's Church]71-st. bride 's church]1986-a small street at the back of st. bride 's church , and [thither Mr. Robert Audley]173-robert quietly strolled , through [the miry slush which [simple Londoners]1988-simple londoners call snow]1987-the miry slush which simple londoners call snow . [He]542-her employer found [the locksmith]5986-the locksmith , and , at the sacrifice of the crown of [his]542-her employer hat , contrived to enter the low , narrow doorway of [a little open shop]1990-a little open shop . A jet of gas was flaring in the unglazed window , and there was a very merry party in [the little room behind [the shop]1992-the shop]1991-the little room behind the shop ; but [no one]507-no one responded to [Robert]173-robert 's " Hulloa ! "[173-robert] The reason of this was sufficiently obvious . [The merry party]1994-the merry party was so much absorbed in its own merriment as to be deaf to all commonplace summonses from [the outer world]1868-the outer world ; and it was only when [Robert]173-robert , advancing further into [the cavernous little shop]1996-the cavernous little shop , made so bold as to open the half - glass door which separated [him]173-robert from [the merry - makers]1997-the merry - makers , that [he]173-robert succeeded in obtaining [their]1997-the merry - makers attention . A very jovial picture of [the Teniers school]1998-the teniers school was presented to [Mr. Robert Audley]173-robert upon the opening of this door . [The locksmith]5986-the locksmith , with [[his]5986-the locksmith wife]554-his wife and [family]2001-family , and [two or three droppers - in of the female sex]2002-two or three droppers - in of the female sex , were clustered about a table , which was adorned by two bottles ; not vulgar bottles of that colorless extract of the juniper berry , much affected by [the masses]2003-the masses ; but of bona fide port and sherry — fiercely strong sherry , which left a fiery taste in the mouth , nut - brown sherry — rather unnaturally brown , if anything — and fine old port ; no sickly vintage , faded and thin from excessive age : but a rich , full - bodied wine , sweet and substantial and high colored . [The locksmith]5986-the locksmith was speaking as [Robert Audley]173-robert opened the door . " And with that , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said , " [she]554-his wife walked off , as graceful as [you]554-his wife please . "[173-robert] [The whole party]2005-the whole party was thrown into confusion by the appearance of [Mr. Audley]173-robert , but it was to be observed that [the locksmith]5986-the locksmith was more embarrassed than [[his]5986-the locksmith companions]2007-his companions . [He]5986-the locksmith set down [his]5986-the locksmith glass so hurriedly , that [he]5986-the locksmith spilt [his]5986-the locksmith wine , and wiped [his]5986-the locksmith mouth nervously with the back of [his]5986-the locksmith dirty hand . " [You]554-his wife called at [[my]173-robert chambers]860-my chambers to - day , "[173-robert] [Robert]173-robert said , quietly . " Do n't let [me]173-robert disturb [you]554-his wife , [ladies]5997-ladies . "[173-robert] This to [the droppers - in]2008-the droppers - in . " [You]634-the man called at [[my]634-the man chambers]860-my chambers to - day , [Mr. White]229-mr. white , and — "[634-the man] [The man]634-the man interrupted [him]634-the man . " [I]634-the man hope , [sir]900-sir , [you]900-sir will be so good as to look over the mistake , "[634-the man] [he]634-the man stammered . " [I]634-the man 'm sure , [sir]900-sir , [I]634-the man 'm very sorry it should have occurred . [I]634-the man was sent for to [[another gentleman]6001-another gentleman 's chambers]6002-another gentleman 's chambers , [Mr. Aulwin]230-mr. aulwin , in [Garden Court]72-garden court ; and the name slipped [my]634-the man memory ; and havin' done odd jobs before for [you]900-sir , [I]634-the man thought it must be [you]900-sir as wanted [me]634-the man to - day ; and [I]634-the man called at [Mrs. Maloney]202-mrs. maloney 's for the key accordin ' ; but directly [I]634-the man see the locks in [[your]900-sir chambers]6003-your chambers , [I]634-the man says to [myself]634-the man , [the gentleman]4994-the gentleman 's locks ai n't out of order ; [the gentleman]4994-the gentleman do n't want all [his]4994-the gentleman locks repaired . "[634-the man] " But [you]900-sir stayed half an hour . "[173-robert] " Yes , [sir]900-sir ; for there was one lock out of order — the door nighest [the staircase]6007-the staircase — and [I]173-robert took it off and cleaned it and put it on again . [I]173-robert wo n't charge [you]900-sir nothin' for the job , and [I]173-robert hope as [you]900-sir 'll be as good as to look over the mistake as has occurred , which [I]173-robert 've been in business thirteen years come July , and — "[173-robert] " Nothing of this kind ever happened before , [I]173-robert suppose , "[173-robert] said [Robert]173-robert , gravely . " No , it 's altogether a singular kind of business , not likely to come about every day . [You]900-sir 've been enjoying [yourself]900-sir this evening [I]173-robert see , [Mr. White]229-mr. white . [You]900-sir 've done a good stroke of work to - day , [I]173-robert 'll wager — made a lucky hit , and [you]900-sir 're what [you]900-sir call ' standing treat , ' eh ? "[173-robert] [Robert Audley]173-robert looked straight into [the man]634-the man 's dingy face as [he]173-robert spoke . [The locksmith]5986-the locksmith was not [a bad - looking fellow]2012-a bad - looking fellow , and there was nothing that [he]5986-the locksmith need have been ashamed of in [his]5986-the locksmith face , except the dirt , and that , as [[Hamlet]231-hamlet 's mother]2013-hamlet 's mother says , " is common ; "[231-hamlet] but in spite of this , [Mr. White]229-mr. white 's eyelids dropped under [the young barrister]5094-the young barrister 's calm scrutiny , and [he]229-mr. white stammered out some apologetic sort of speech about [his]229-mr. white " missus , "[229-mr. white] and [[his]229-mr. white missus ' neighbors]2015-his missus ' neighbors , and port wine and sherry wine , with as much confusion as if [he]229-mr. white , [an honest mechanic in [a free country]2017-a free country]2016-an honest mechanic in a free country , were called upon to excuse [himself]229-mr. white to [Robert Audley]173-robert for being caught in the act of enjoying [himself]229-mr. white in [[his]229-mr. white own parlor]2018-his own parlor . [Robert]173-robert cut [him]229-mr. white short with a careless nod . " Pray do n't apologize , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said ; " [I]173-robert like to see [people]572-people enjoy [themselves]572-people . Good - night , [Mr. White]6009-mr. white good - night , [ladies]5997-ladies . "[173-robert] [He]173-robert lifted [his]173-robert hat to " [the missus]6011-the missus , "[6011-the missus] and [[the missus]6011-the missus ' neighbors]2020-the missus ' neighbors , who were much fascinated by [his]173-robert easy manner and [his]173-robert handsome face , and left [the shop]1992-the shop . " And so , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert muttered to [himself]173-robert as [he]173-robert went back to [[his]173-robert chambers]4865-his chambers , " ' with that [she]6011-the missus walked off as graceful as [you]5997-ladies please . 'Who was it that walked off ; and what was the story which [the locksmith]5986-the locksmith was telling when [I]173-robert interrupted [him]173-robert at that sentence ? Oh , [George Talboys]181-george talboys , [George Talboys]181-george talboys , am [I]173-robert ever to come any nearer to the secret of [your]181-george talboys fate ? Am [I]173-robert coming nearer to it now , slowly but surely ? Is the radius to grow narrower day by day until it draws a dark circle around [the home of those [I]173-robert love]6013-the home of those i love ? How is it all to end ? "[173-robert] [He]173-robert sighed wearily as [he]173-robert walked slowly back across [the flagged quadrangles in [the Temple]4856-the temple]2023-the flagged quadrangles in the temple to [[his]173-robert own solitary chambers]2025-his own solitary chambers . [Mrs. Maloney]202-mrs. maloney had prepared for [him]173-robert that [bachelor]2026-bachelor 's dinner , which , however excellent and nutritious in itself , has no claim to the special charm of novelty . [She]202-mrs. maloney had cooked for [him]173-robert a mutton - chop , which was soddening itself between two plates upon the little table near the fire . [Robert Audley]173-robert sighed as [he]173-robert sat down to the familiar meal , remembering [[his]173-robert uncle]4872-his uncle 's cook with a fond , regretful sorrow . " [Her]202-mrs. maloney cutlets a la Maintenon made mutton seem more than mutton ; a sublimated meat that could scarcely have grown upon any mundane sheep , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert murmured sentimentally , " and [Mrs. Maloney]202-mrs. maloney 's chops are apt to be tough ; but such is life — what does it matter ? "[173-robert] [He]173-robert pushed away [his]173-robert plate impatiently after eating a few mouthfuls . " [I]173-robert have never eaten a good dinner at this table since [I]173-robert lost [George Talboys]181-george talboys , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said . " [The place]385-the place seems as gloomy as if [the poor fellow]5680-the poor fellow had died in [the next room]4946-the next room , and had never been taken away to be buried . How long ago that September afternoon appears as [I]173-robert look back at it — that September afternoon upon which [I]173-robert parted with [him]5680-the poor fellow alive and well ; and lost [him]5680-the poor fellow as suddenly and unaccountably as if a trap - door had opened in the solid earth and let [him]5680-the poor fellow through to the antipodes ! "[173-robert] [Mr. Audley]173-robert rose from the dinner - table and walked over to the cabinet in which [he]173-robert kept the document [he]173-robert had drawn up relating to [George Talboys]181-george talboys . [He]173-robert unlocked the doors of [his]173-robert cabinet , took the paper from the pigeon - hole marked important , and seated [himself]173-robert at [his]173-robert desk to write . [He]173-robert added several paragraphs to those in the document , numbering the fresh paragraphs as carefully as [he]173-robert had numbered the old ones . " Heaven help [us]6017-us all , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert muttered once ; " is this paper with which [no attorney]6018-no attorney has had any hand to be [my]173-robert first brief ? "[173-robert] [He]173-robert wrote for about half an hour , then replaced the document in the pigeon - hole , and locked the cabinet . When [he]173-robert had done this , [he]173-robert took a candle in [his]173-robert hand , and went into [the room in which were [his]173-robert own portmanteaus]2028-the room in which were his own portmanteaus and the trunk belonging to [George Talboys]181-george talboys . [He]173-robert took a bunch of keys from [his]173-robert pocket , and tried them one by one . The lock of the shabby old trunk was a common one , and at the fifth trial the key turned easily . " There 'd be no need for [any one to break open such a lock as this]6019-any one to break open such a lock as this , "[173-robert] muttered [Robert]173-robert , as [he]173-robert lifted the lid of the trunk . [He]173-robert slowly emptied it of its contents , taking out each article separately , and laying it carefully upon a chair by [his]173-robert side . [He]173-robert handled the things with a respectful tenderness , as if [he]173-robert had been lifting the dead body of [[his]173-robert lost friend]2029-his lost friend . One by one [he]173-robert laid the neatly folded mourning garments on the chair . [He]173-robert found old meerschaum pipes , and soiled , crumpled gloves that had once been fresh from [the Parisian maker]2030-the parisian maker ; old play - bills , whose biggest letters spelled the names of [actors who were dead and gone]2031-actors who were dead and gone ; old perfume - bottles , fragrant with essences , whose fashion had passed away ; neat little parcels of letters , each carefully labeled with the name of [the writer]2032-the writer ; fragments of old newspapers ; and a little heap of shabby , dilapidated books , each of which tumbled into as many pieces as a pack of cards in [Robert]173-robert 's incautious hand . But among all the mass of worthless litter , each scrap of which had once had its separate purpose , [Robert Audley]173-robert looked in vain for that which [he]173-robert sought — the packet of letters written to [the missing man]2033-the missing man by [[his]173-robert dead wife]5028-his dead wife [Helen Talboys]179-helen talboys . [He]173-robert had heard [George]181-george talboys allude more than once to the existence of these letters . [He]173-robert had seen [him]173-robert once sorting the faded papers with a reverent hand ; and [he]173-robert had seen [him]173-robert replace them , carefully tied together with a faded ribbon which had once been [Helen]179-helen talboys 's , among the mourning garments in the trunk . Whether [he]173-robert had afterward removed them , or whether they had been removed since [his]173-robert disappearance by some other hand , it was not easy to say ; but they were gone . [Robert Audley]173-robert sighed wearily as [he]173-robert replaced the things in the empty box , one by one , as [he]173-robert had taken them out . [He]173-robert stopped with the little heap of tattered books in [his]173-robert hand , and hesitated for a moment . " [I]173-robert will keep these out , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert muttered , " there may be something to help [me]173-robert in one of them . "[173-robert] [[George]181-george talboys 's library]2035-george 's library was no very brilliant collection of literature . There was an old Greek Testament and the Eton Latin Grammar ; a French pamphlet on the cavalry sword - exercise ; an odd volume of [Tom Jones]232-tom jones with one half of its stiff leather cover hanging to it by a thread ; [Byron]160-byron 's Don Juan , printed in a murderous type , which must have been invented for the special advantage of [oculists and opticians]2036-oculists and opticians ; and a fat book in a faded gilt and crimson cover . [Robert Audley]173-robert locked the trunk and took the books under [his]173-robert arm . [Mrs. Maloney]202-mrs. maloney was clearing away the remains of [his]173-robert repast when [he]173-robert returned to [the sitting - room]5373-the sitting - room . [He]173-robert put the books aside on a little table in a corner of [the fire - place]1466-the fire - place , and waited patiently while [the laundress]1316-the laundress finished [her]1316-the laundress work . [He]173-robert was in no humor even for [[his]173-robert meerschaum consoler]2040-his meerschaum consoler ; the yellow - papered fictions on the shelves above [his]173-robert head seemed stale and profitless — [he]173-robert opened a volume of Balzac , but [[his]173-robert uncle]4872-his uncle 's wife 's golden curls danced and trembled in a glittering haze , alike upon the metaphysical diablerie of [the Peau de Chagrin]73-the peau de chagrin , and the hideous social horrors of " [Cousine Bette]233-cousine bette . "[202-mrs. maloney] The volume dropped from [his]173-robert hand , and [he]173-robert sat wearily watching [Mrs. Maloney]202-mrs. maloney as [she]202-mrs. maloney swept up the ashes on the hearth , replenished the fire , drew the dark damask curtains , supplied the simple wants of the canaries , and put on [her]202-mrs. maloney bonnet in [[the disused clerk]2042-the disused clerk 's office]2043-the disused clerk 's office , prior to bidding [[her]202-mrs. maloney employer]542-her employer good - night . As the door closed upon [the Irishwoman]1985-the irishwoman , [he]173-robert arose impatiently from [his]173-robert chair , and paced up and down [the room]595-the room . " Why do [I]173-robert go on with this , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said , " when [I]173-robert know that it is leading [me]173-robert , step by step , day by day , hour by hour , nearer to that conclusion which , of all others , [I]173-robert should avoid ? Am [I]173-robert tied to a wheel , and must [I]173-robert go with its every revolution , let it take [me]173-robert where it will ? Or can [I]173-robert sit down here to - night and say [I]173-robert have done [my]173-robert duty to [[my]173-robert missing friend]6020-my missing friend , [I]173-robert have searched for [him]6020-my missing friend patiently , but [I]173-robert have searched in vain ? Should [I]173-robert be justified in doing this ? Should [I]173-robert be justified in letting the chain which [I]173-robert have slowly put together , link by link , drop at this point , or must [I]173-robert go on adding fresh links to that fatal chain until the last rivet drops into its place and the circle is complete ? [I]173-robert think , and [I]173-robert believe , that [I]173-robert shall never see [[my]173-robert friend]836-my friend 's face again ; and that no exertion of [mine]173-robert can ever be of any benefit to [him]6020-my missing friend . In plainer , crueler words [I]173-robert believe [him]6020-my missing friend to be dead . Am [I]173-robert bound to discover how and where [he]6020-my missing friend died ? or being , as [I]173-robert think , on the road to that discovery , shall [I]173-robert do a wrong to the memory of [George Talboys]181-george talboys by turning back or stopping still ? What am [I]173-robert to do?—what am [I]173-robert to do ? "[173-robert] [He]2047-his rested [his]2047-his elbows on [his]2047-his knees , and buried [his]2047-his face in [his]2047-his hands . The one purpose which had slowly grown up in [his]2047-his careless nature until it had become powerful enough to work a change in that very nature , made [him]2047-his what [he]2047-his had never been before — [a Christian]2048-a christian ; conscious of [his]2047-his own weakness ; anxious to keep to the strict line of duty ; fearful to swerve from the conscientious discharge of the strange task that had been forced upon [him]2047-his ; and reliant on a stronger hand than [his]2047-his own to point the way which [he]2047-his was to go . Perhaps [he]2047-his uttered [his]2047-his first earnest prayer that night , seated by [[his]2047-his lonely fireside]2049-his lonely fireside , thinking of [George Talboys]181-george talboys . When [he]2047-his raised [his]2047-his head from that long and silent revery , [his]2047-his eyes had a bright , determined glance , and every feature in [his]2047-his face seemed to wear a new expression . " Justice to the dead first , "[2047-his] [he]2047-his said ; " mercy to [the living]6022-the living afterward . "[2047-his] [He]2047-his wheeled [his]2047-his easy - chair to the table , trimmed the lamp , and settled [himself]2047-his to the examination of the books . [He]2047-his took them up , one by one , and looked carefully through them , first looking at the page on which the name of [the owner]2050-the owner is ordinarily written , and then searching for any scrap of paper which might have been left within the leaves . On the first page of the Eton Latin Grammar the name of [Master Talboys]157-george was written in a prim , scholastic hand ; the French pamphlet had a careless G.T. scrawled on the cover in pencil , in [George]157-george 's big , slovenly calligraphy : [the Tom Jones]232-tom jones had evidently been bought at [a book - stall]2051-a book - stall , and bore an inscription , dated March 14th , 1788 , setting forth that the book was a tribute of respect to [Mr. Thos . Scrowton]234-mr. thos . scrowton , from [[his]2047-his obedient servant]2052-his obedient servant , [James Anderley]235-james anderley ; [the Don Juan]236-the don juan and the Testament were blank . [Robert Audley]173-robert breathed more freely ; [he]173-robert had arrived at the last but one of the books without any result whatever , and there only remained the fat gilt - and - crimson - bound volume to be examined before [his]173-robert task was finished . It was an annual of the year 1845 . The copper - plate engravings of [lovely ladies , who had flourished in that day]2053-lovely ladies , who had flourished in that day , were yellow and spotted with mildew ; the costumes grotesque and outlandish ; the simpering beauties faded and commonplace . Even the little clusters of verses ( in which [the poet]2054-the poet 's feeble candle shed its sickly light upon the obscurities of [the artist]5336-the artist 's meaning ) had an old - fashioned twang ; like music on a lyre , whose strings are slackened by the damps of time . [Robert Audley]173-robert did not stop to read any of the mild productions . [He]173-robert ran rapidly through the leaves , looking for any scrap of writing or fragment of a letter which might have been used to mark a place . [He]2047-his found nothing but a bright ring of golden hair , of that glittering hue which is so rarely seen except upon the head of [a child]4759-a child — a sunny lock , which curled as naturally as the tendril of a vine ; and was very opposite in texture , if not different in hue , to the soft , smooth tresses which [the landlady]4991-the landlady at [Ventnor]26-ventnor had given to [George Talboys]157-george after [[his]2047-his wife]554-his wife 's death . [Robert Audley]173-robert suspended [his]173-robert examination of the book , and folded this yellow lock in a sheet of letter paper , which [he]173-robert sealed with [his]173-robert signet - ring , and laid aside , with the memorandum about [George Talboys]157-george and [Alicia]190-alicia 's letter , in the pigeon - hole marked important . [He]173-robert was going to replace the fat annual among the other books , when [he]173-robert discovered that the two blank leaves at the beginning were stuck together . [He]173-robert was so determined to prosecute [his]173-robert search to the very uttermost , that [he]173-robert took the trouble to part these leaves with the sharp end of [his]173-robert paper - knife , and [he]173-robert was rewarded for [his]173-robert perseverance by finding an inscription upon one of them . This inscription was in three parts , and in three different hands . The first paragraph was dated as far back as the year in which the annual had been published , and set forth that the book was the property of [a certain [Miss Elizabeth Ann Bince]237-miss bince , who had obtained the precious volume as a reward for habits of order , and for obedience to [the authorities of [Camford House Seminary]74-camford house seminary , [Torquay]75-torquay]2060-the authorities of camford house seminary , torquay]2059-a certain miss elizabeth ann bince , who had obtained the precious volume as a reward for habits of order , and for obedience to the authorities of camford house seminary , torquay . The second paragraph was dated five years later , and was in the handwriting of [Miss Bince]237-miss bince [herself]237-miss bince , who presented the book , as a mark of undying affection and unfading esteem ( [Miss Bince]237-miss bince was evidently of a romantic temperament ) to [[her]237-miss bince beloved friend]2061-her beloved friend , [Helen Maldon]238-helen maldon . The third paragraph was dated September , 1853 , and was in the hand of [Helen Maldon]238-helen maldon , who gave the annual to [George Talboys]157-george ; and it was at the sight of this third paragraph that [Mr. Robert Audley]173-robert 's face changed from its natural hue to a sickly , leaden pallor . " [I]667-the young man thought it would be so , "[667-the young man] said [the young man]667-the young man , shutting the book with a weary sigh . " [God]164-god knows [I]667-the young man was prepared for the worst , and the worst has come . [I]667-the young man can understand all now . [My]667-the young man next visit must be to [Southampton]33-southampton . [I]667-the young man must place [the boy]5049-the boy in better hands . "[667-the young man] Among the packet of letters which [Robert Audley]173-robert had found in [[George]157-george 's trunk]2063-george 's trunk , there was one labeled with the name of [[the missing man]2033-the missing man 's father]2065-the missing man 's father — [[the father]2066-the father , who had never been too indulgent a friend to [[his]2066-the father younger son]2068-his younger son , and who had gladly availed [himself]2066-the father of the excuse afforded by [George]157-george 's imprudent marriage to abandon [the young man]667-the young man to [his]2066-the father own resources]2067-the father , who had never been too indulgent a friend to his younger son , and who had gladly availed himself of the excuse afforded by george 's imprudent marriage to abandon the young man to his own resources . [Robert Audley]173-robert had never seen [Mr. Harcourt Talboys]239-mr. talboys ; but [George]157-george 's careless talk of [[his]157-george father]709-his father had given [[his]173-robert friend]4909-his friend some notion of [that gentleman]4886-that gentleman 's character . [He]173-robert had written to [Mr. Talboys]239-mr. talboys immediately after the disappearance of [George]157-george , carefully wording [his]173-robert letter , which vaguely hinted at [the writer]2032-the writer 's fear of some foul play in the mysterious business ; and , after the lapse of several weeks , [he]173-robert had received a formal epistle , in which [Mr. Harcourt Talboys]239-mr. talboys expressly declared that [he]239-mr. talboys had washed [his]239-mr. talboys hands of all responsibility in [[his]239-mr. talboys son]4957-his son [George]157-george 's affairs upon [the young man]667-the young man 's wedding - day ; and that [his]239-mr. talboys absurd disappearance was only in character with [his]239-mr. talboys preposterous marriage . The writer of this fatherly letter added in a postscript that if [George Talboys]157-george had any low design of alarming [[his]157-george friends]4853-his friends by this pretended disappearance , and thereby playing on [their]4853-his friends feelings with a view to pecuniary advantage , [he]157-george was most egregiously deceived in the character of [those persons with whom [he]157-george had to deal]2077-those persons with whom he had to deal . [Robert Audley]173-robert had answered this letter by a few indignant lines , informing [Mr. Talboys]157-george that [[his]239-mr. talboys son]4957-his son was scarcely likely to hide [himself]4957-his son for the furtherance of any deep - laid design on the pockets of [[his]4957-his son relatives]2079-his relatives , as [he]4957-his son had left twenty thousand pounds in [[his]4957-his son bankers]4913-his bankers ' hands at the time of [his]4957-his son disappearance . After dispatching this letter , [Robert]173-robert had abandoned all thought of assistance from [the man who , in the natural course of things]2081-the man who , in the natural course of things , should have been most interested in [George]157-george 's fate ; but now that [he]173-robert found [himself]173-robert advancing every day some step nearer to the end that lay so darkly before [him]173-robert , [his]173-robert mind reverted to this heartlessly indifferent [Mr. Harcourt Talboys]239-mr. talboys . " [I]173-robert will run into [Dorsetshire]76-dorsetshire after [I]173-robert leave [Southampton]33-southampton , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said , " and see [this man]4719-this man . If [he]4719-this man is content to let [[his]4719-this man son]4957-his son 's fate rest a dark and cruel mystery to [all who knew [him]4719-this man]6026-all who knew him — if [he]4719-this man is content to go down to [his]4719-this man grave uncertain to the last of [this poor fellow]6027-this poor fellow 's end — why should [I]173-robert try to unravel the tangled skein , to fit the pieces of the terrible puzzle , and gather together the stray fragments which , when collected , may make such a hideous whole ? [I]173-robert will go to [him]4719-this man and lay [my]173-robert darkest doubts freely before [him]4719-this man . It will be for [him]4719-this man to say what [I]173-robert am to do . "[173-robert] [Robert Audley]173-robert started by an early express for [Southampton]33-southampton . The snow lay thick and white upon [the pleasant country through which [he]173-robert went]2082-the pleasant country through which he went ; and [the young barrister]5094-the young barrister had wrapped [himself]5094-the young barrister in so many comforters and railway rugs as to appear [a perambulating mass of woollen goods]2084-a perambulating mass of woollen goods , rather than [a living member of a learned profession]2085-a living member of a learned profession . [He]5094-the young barrister looked gloomily out of the misty window , opaque with the breath of [himself]5094-the young barrister and [an elderly Indian officer , who was [[his]5094-the young barrister only companion]2087-his only companion , and watched the fleeting landscape , which had a certain phantom - like appearance in its shroud of snow]2086-an elderly indian officer , who was his only companion , and watched the fleeting landscape , which had a certain phantom - like appearance in its shroud of snow . [He]5094-the young barrister wrapped [himself]5094-the young barrister in the vast folds of [his]5094-the young barrister railway rug , with a peevish shiver , and felt inclined to quarrel with the destiny which compelled [him]5094-the young barrister to travel by [an early train]2088-an early train upon a pitiless winter 's day . " Who would have thought that [I]5094-the young barrister could have grown so fond of [the fellow]5483-the fellow , "[5094-the young barrister] [he]5094-the young barrister muttered , " or feel so lonely without [him]5483-the fellow ? [I]5094-the young barrister 've a comfortable little fortune in the three per cents . ; [I]5094-the young barrister 'm heir presumptive to [[my]5094-the young barrister uncle]991-my uncle 's title ; and [I]5094-the young barrister know of [a certain dear little girl who , as [I]5094-the young barrister think , would do [her]6030-a certain dear little girl who , as i think , would do her best to make me happy best to make [me]5094-the young barrister happy]6030-a certain dear little girl who , as i think , would do her best to make me happy ; but [I]5094-the young barrister declare that [I]5094-the young barrister would freely give up all , and stand penniless in [the world]519-the world to - morrow , if this mystery could be satisfactorily cleared away , and [George Talboys]157-george could stand by [my]5094-the young barrister side . "[5094-the young barrister] [He]5094-the young barrister reached [Southampton]33-southampton between eleven and twelve o'clock , and walked across [the platform]1421-the platform , with the snow drifting in [his]5094-the young barrister face , toward [the pier]4715-the pier and [the lower end of [the town]2092-the town]2091-the lower end of the town . The clock of [St. Michael 's Church]77-st. michael 's church was striking twelve as [he]5094-the young barrister crossed [the quaint old square in which that edifice stands]2093-the quaint old square in which that edifice stands , and groped [his]5094-the young barrister way through [the narrow streets]2094-the narrow streets leading down to [the water]403-the water . [Mr. Maldon]182-mr. maldon had established [[his]182-mr. maldon slovenly household gods]2096-his slovenly household gods in [one of those dreary thoroughfares which [speculative builders]2098-speculative builders love to raise upon [some miserable fragment of waste ground hanging to the skirts of [a prosperous town]2100-a prosperous town]2099-some miserable fragment of waste ground hanging to the skirts of a prosperous town]2097-one of those dreary thoroughfares which speculative builders love to raise upon some miserable fragment of waste ground hanging to the skirts of a prosperous town . [Brigsome 's Terrace]78-brigsome 's terrace was , perhaps , one of the most [dismal blocks of building that was ever composed of brick and mortar]2101-dismal blocks of building that was ever composed of brick and mortar since [the first mason]2102-the first mason plied [his]2102-the first mason trowel and [the first architect]2103-the first architect drew [his]2102-the first mason plan . [The builder who had speculated in [the ten dreary eight - roomed prison - houses]2105-the ten dreary eight - roomed prison - houses]2104-the builder who had speculated in the ten dreary eight - roomed prison - houses had hung [himself]2104-the builder who had speculated in the ten dreary eight - roomed prison - houses behind the parlor door of [an adjacent tavern]2106-an adjacent tavern while the carcases were yet unfinished . [The man who had bought the brick and mortar skeletons]2107-the man who had bought the brick and mortar skeletons had gone through [the bankruptcy court]2108-the bankruptcy court while [the paper - hangers]2109-the paper - hangers were still busy in [Brigsome 's Terrace]78-brigsome 's terrace , and had whitewashed [his]2107-the man who had bought the brick and mortar skeletons ceilings and [himself]2107-the man who had bought the brick and mortar skeletons simultaneously . Ill luck and insolvency clung to [the wretched habitations]2110-the wretched habitations . [The bailiff]2111-the bailiff and [[the broker]2112-the broker 's man]2113-the broker 's man were as well known as [the butcher]2114-the butcher and [the baker]2115-the baker to [the noisy children who played upon the waste ground in front of the parlor windows]2116-the noisy children who played upon the waste ground in front of the parlor windows . [Solvent tenants]2117-solvent tenants were disturbed at unhallowed hours by the noise of ghostly furniture vans creeping stealthily away in the moonless night . [Insolvent tenants]2118-insolvent tenants openly defied the collector of the water - rate from [[their]2118-insolvent tenants ten - roomed strongholds]2119-their ten - roomed strongholds , and existed for weeks without any visible means of procuring that necessary fluid . [Robert Audley]173-robert looked about [him]173-robert with a shudder as [he]173-robert turned from [the waterside]2120-the waterside into [this poverty - stricken locality]2121-this poverty - stricken locality . [A child]4759-a child 's funeral was leaving [one of [the houses]2124-the houses]2123-one of the houses as [he]173-robert approached , and [he]173-robert thought with a thrill of horror that if the little coffin had held [[George]157-george 's son]2125-george 's son , [he]173-robert would have been in some measure responsible for [the boy]5049-the boy 's death . " [The poor child]6032-the poor child shall not sleep another night in this wretched hovel , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert thought , as [he]173-robert knocked at the door of [[Mr. Maldon]182-mr. maldon 's house]2127-mr. maldon 's house . " [He]6032-the poor child is the legacy of [[my]173-robert best friend]6033-my best friend , and it shall be [my]173-robert business to secure [his]6032-the poor child safety . "[173-robert] [A slipshod servant girl]2128-a slipshod servant girl opened the door and looked at [Mr. Audley]173-robert rather suspiciously as [she]2128-a slipshod servant girl asked [him]173-robert , very much through [her]2128-a slipshod servant girl nose , what [he]173-robert pleased to want . The door of [the little sitting room]2129-the little sitting room was ajar , and [Robert]173-robert could hear the clattering of knives and forks and the childish voice of little [George]157-george prattling gayly . [He]173-robert told [the servant]1203-the servant that [he]173-robert had come from [London]3-london , that [he]173-robert wanted to see [Master Talboys]157-george , and that [he]173-robert would announce [himself]173-robert ; and walking past [her]2128-a slipshod servant girl , without further ceremony [he]173-robert opened the door of [the parlor]4803-the parlor . [The girl]753-the girl stared at [him]173-robert aghast as [he]173-robert did this ; and as if struck by some sudden and terrible conviction , threw [her]753-the girl apron over [her]753-the girl head and ran out into the snow . [She]753-the girl darted across [the waste ground]2133-the waste ground , plunged into [a narrow alley]2134-a narrow alley , and never drew breath till [she]753-the girl found [herself]753-the girl upon the threshold of [a certain tavern called [the Coach and Horses]2136-the coach and horses]2135-a certain tavern called the coach and horses , and much affected by [Mr. Maldon]182-mr. maldon . [[The lieutenant]2137-the lieutenant 's faithful retainer]2138-the lieutenant 's faithful retainer had taken [Robert Audley]173-robert for [some new and determined collector of poor]2139-some new and determined collector of poor 's rates — rejecting [that gentleman]4886-that gentleman 's account of [himself]173-robert as an artful fiction devised for the destruction of [parochial defaulters]2141-parochial defaulters — and had hurried off to give [[her]753-the girl master]2142-her master timely warning of [the enemy]2143-the enemy 's approach . When [Robert]173-robert entered [the sitting - room]5373-the sitting - room [he]173-robert was surprised to find [little George]157-george seated opposite to [a woman who was doing the honors of a shabby repast , spread upon a dirty table - cloth , and flanked by a pewter beer measure]2145-a woman who was doing the honors of a shabby repast , spread upon a dirty table - cloth , and flanked by a pewter beer measure . [The woman]5008-the woman rose as [Robert]173-robert entered , and courtesied very humbly to [the young barrister]5094-the young barrister . [She]5008-the woman looked about fifty years of age , and was dressed in rusty widow 's weeds . [Her]5008-the woman complexion was insipidly fair , and the two smooth bands of hair beneath [her]5008-the woman cap were of that sunless , flaxen hue which generally accompanies pink cheeks and white eyelashes . [She]5008-the woman had been [a rustic beauty]2148-a rustic beauty , perhaps , in [her]5008-the woman time , but [her]5008-the woman features , although tolerably regular in their shape , had a mean , pinched look , as if they had been made too small for [her]5008-the woman face . This defect was peculiarly noticeable in [her]5008-the woman mouth , which was an obvious misfit for the set of teeth it contained . [She]5008-the woman smiled as [she]5008-the woman courtesied to [Mr. Robert Audley]173-robert , and [her]5008-the woman smile , which laid bare the greater part of this set of square , hungry - looking teeth , by no means added to the beauty of [her]5008-the woman personal appearance . " [Mr. Maldon]182-mr. maldon is not at [home]479-home , [sir]900-sir , "[5008-the woman] [she]5008-the woman said , with insinuating civility ; " but if it 's for the water - rate , [he]182-mr. maldon requested [me]5008-the woman to say that — "[5008-the woman] [She]5008-the woman was interrupted by [little George Talboys]157-george , who scrambled down from the high chair upon which [he]157-george had been perched , and ran to [Robert Audley]173-robert . " [I]157-george know [you]5008-the woman , "[157-george] [he]157-george said ; " [you]5008-the woman came to [Ventnor]26-ventnor with [the big gentleman]1083-the big gentleman , and [you]5008-the woman came [here]4776-here once , and [you]5008-the woman gave [me]157-george some money , and [I]157-george gave it to [gran'pa]6038-gran'pa to take care of , and [gran'pa]6038-gran'pa kept it , and [he]6038-gran'pa always does . "[157-george] [Robert Audley]173-robert took [the boy]5049-the boy in [his]173-robert arms , and carried [him]5049-the boy to a little table in the window . " Stand there , [Georgey]203-little georgey , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said , " [I]173-robert want to have a good look at [you]203-little georgey . "[173-robert] [He]173-robert turned [the boy]5049-the boy 's face to the light , and pushed the brown curls off [his]5049-the boy forehead with both hands . " [You]203-little georgey are growing more like [[your]203-little georgey father]914-your father every day , [Georgey]203-little georgey ; and [you]203-little georgey 're growing quite [a man]445-a man , too , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said ; " would [you]203-little georgey like to go to [school]6042-school ? "[173-robert] " Oh , yes , please , [I]5049-the boy should like it very much , "[5049-the boy] [the boy]5049-the boy answered , eagerly . " [I]5049-the boy went to [school]6042-school at [Miss Pevins]240-miss pevins ' once — day - school , [you]6044-you know — round the corner in [the next street]6045-the next street ; but [I]5049-the boy caught the measles , and [gran'pa]6038-gran'pa would n't let [me]5049-the boy go any more , for fear [I]5049-the boy should catch the measles again ; and [gran'pa]6038-gran'pa wo n't let [me]5049-the boy play with [the little boys]6048-the little boys in [the street]4740-the street , because [they]6048-the little boys 're [rude boys]6050-rude boys ; [he]6038-gran'pa said [blackguard boys]6051-blackguard boys ; but [he]6038-gran'pa said [I]5049-the boy must n't say [blackguard boys]6051-blackguard boys , because it 's naughty . [He]6038-gran'pa says damn and devil , but [he]6038-gran'pa says [he]6038-gran'pa may because [he]6038-gran'pa 's old . [I]5049-the boy shall say damn and devil when [I]5049-the boy 'm old ; and [I]5049-the boy should like to go to [school]6042-school , please , and [I]5049-the boy can go to - day , if [you]5008-the woman like ; [Mrs. Plowson]241-mrs. plowson will get [my]5049-the boy frocks ready , wo n't [you]5008-the woman , [Mrs. Plowson]241-mrs. plowson ? "[5049-the boy] " Certainly , [Master Georgey]187-georgey , if [[your]187-georgey grandpapa]6054-your grandpapa wishes it , "[5008-the woman] [the woman]5008-the woman answered , looking rather uneasily at [Mr. Robert Audley]173-robert . " What on earth is the matter with [this woman]557-this woman , "[173-robert] thought [Robert]173-robert as [he]173-robert turned from [the boy]5049-the boy to [the fair - haired widow]2154-the fair - haired widow , who was edging [herself]2154-the fair - haired widow slowly toward the table upon which [little George Talboys]157-george stood talking to [[his]157-george guardian]2155-his guardian . " Does [she]557-this woman still take [me]241-mrs. plowson for [a tax - collector with inimical intentions toward these wretched goods and chattels]6056-a tax - collector with inimical intentions toward these wretched goods and chattels ; or can the cause of [her]557-this woman fidgety manner lie deeper still . That 's scarcely likely , though ; for whatever secrets [Lieutenant Maldon]242-lieutenant maldon may have , it 's not very probable that [this woman]557-this woman has any knowledge of them . "[241-mrs. plowson] [Mrs. Plowson]241-mrs. plowson had edged [herself]241-mrs. plowson close to the little table by this time , and was making a stealthy descent upon [the boy]5049-the boy , when [Robert]173-robert turned sharply round . " What are [you]5008-the woman going to do with [the child]5037-the child ? "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said . " [I]5008-the woman was only going to take [him]5037-the child away to wash [his]5037-the child pretty face , [sir]900-sir , and smooth [his]5037-the child hair , "[5008-the woman] answered [the woman]5008-the woman , in the most insinuating tone in which [she]5008-the woman had spoken of the water - rate . " [You]900-sir do n't see [him]5037-the child to any advantage , [sir]900-sir , while [his]5037-the child precious face is dirty . [I]5008-the woman wo n't be five minutes making [him]5037-the child as neat as a new pin . "[5008-the woman] [She]5008-the woman had [her]5008-the woman long , thin arms about [the boy]5049-the boy as [she]5008-the woman spoke , and [she]5008-the woman was evidently going to carry [him]5049-the boy off bodily , when [Robert]173-robert stopped [her]5008-the woman . " [I]173-robert 'd rather see [him]5037-the child as [he]5037-the child is , thank [you]5008-the woman , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said . " [My]173-robert time in [Southampton]33-southampton is n't very long , and [I]173-robert want to hear all that [the little man]6061-the little man can tell [me]173-robert . "[173-robert] [The little man]6061-the little man crept closer to [Robert]173-robert , and looked confidingly into [the barrister]955-the barrister 's gray eyes . " [I]173-robert like [you]5008-the woman very much , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said . " [I]173-robert was frightened of [you]5008-the woman when [you]5008-the woman came before , because [I]173-robert was shy . [I]173-robert am not shy now — [I]173-robert am nearly six years old . "[173-robert] [Robert]173-robert patted [the boy]5049-the boy 's head encouragingly , but [he]173-robert was not looking at [little George]157-george ; [he]173-robert was watching [the fair - haired widow , who had moved to the window , and was looking out at [the patch of waste ground]2163-the patch of waste ground]2162-the fair - haired widow , who had moved to the window , and was looking out at the patch of waste ground . " [You]2162-the fair - haired widow , who had moved to the window , and was looking out at the patch of waste ground 're rather fidgety about some one , [ma'am]6062-ma'am , [I]173-robert 'm afraid , "[173-robert] said [Robert]173-robert . [She]2162-the fair - haired widow , who had moved to the window , and was looking out at the patch of waste ground colored violently as [the barrister]955-the barrister made this remark , and answered [him]173-robert in a confused manner . " [I]2162-the fair - haired widow , who had moved to the window , and was looking out at the patch of waste ground was looking for [Mr. Maldon]182-mr. maldon , [sir]900-sir , "[2162-the fair - haired widow , who had moved to the window , and was looking out at the patch of waste ground] [she]2162-the fair - haired widow , who had moved to the window , and was looking out at the patch of waste ground said ; " [he]182-mr. maldon 'll be so disappointed if [he]182-mr. maldon does n't see [you]900-sir . "[2162-the fair - haired widow , who had moved to the window , and was looking out at the patch of waste ground] " [You]2162-the fair - haired widow , who had moved to the window , and was looking out at the patch of waste ground know who [I]2162-the fair - haired widow , who had moved to the window , and was looking out at the patch of waste ground am , then ? "[2162-the fair - haired widow , who had moved to the window , and was looking out at the patch of waste ground] " No , [sir]900-sir , but — "[5049-the boy] [The boy]5049-the boy interrupted [her]2162-the fair - haired widow , who had moved to the window , and was looking out at the patch of waste ground by dragging a little jeweled watch from [his]5049-the boy bosom and showing it to [Robert]173-robert . " This is the watch [the pretty lady]5515-the pretty lady gave [me]173-robert , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said . " [I]173-robert 've got it now — but [I]173-robert have n't had it long , because [the jeweler who cleans it]6066-the jeweler who cleans it is [an idle man]6067-an idle man , [gran'pa]6038-gran'pa says , and always keeps it such a long time ; and [gran'pa]6038-gran'pa says it will have to be cleaned again , because of the taxes . [He]6038-gran'pa always takes it to be cleaned when there 's taxes — but [he]6038-gran'pa says if [he]6038-gran'pa were to lose it [the pretty lady]5515-the pretty lady would give [me]173-robert another . Do [you]5049-the boy know [the pretty lady]5515-the pretty lady ? "[173-robert] " No , [Georgey]187-georgey , but tell [me]241-mrs. plowson about [her]5515-the pretty lady . "[241-mrs. plowson] [Mrs. Plowson]241-mrs. plowson made another descent upon [the boy]5049-the boy . [She]241-mrs. plowson was armed with a pocket - handkerchief this time , and displayed great anxiety about the state of [little George]157-george 's nose , but [Robert]173-robert warded off the dreaded weapon , and drew [the child]5037-the child away from [[his]5049-the boy tormentor]2168-his tormentor . " [The boy]5049-the boy will do very well , [ma'am]6062-ma'am , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said , " if [you]6062-ma'am 'll be good enough to let [him]5049-the boy alone for five minutes . Now , [Georgey]187-georgey , suppose [you]187-georgey sit on [my]173-robert knee , and tell [me]173-robert all about [the pretty lady]5515-the pretty lady . "[173-robert] [The child]5037-the child clambered from the table onto [Mr. Audley]173-robert 's knees , assisting [his]5049-the boy descent by a very unceremonious manipulation of [[his]5049-the boy guardian]2155-his guardian 's coat - collar . " [I]173-robert 'll tell [you]6062-ma'am all about [the pretty lady]5515-the pretty lady , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said , " because [I]5049-the boy like [you]6062-ma'am very much . [Gran'pa]243-gran'pa told [me]5049-the boy not to tell [anybody]706-anybody , but [I]5049-the boy 'll tell [you]6062-ma'am , [you]6062-ma'am know , because [I]5049-the boy like [you]6062-ma'am , and because [you]6062-ma'am 're going to take [me]5049-the boy to [school]6042-school . [The pretty lady]5515-the pretty lady came [here]4776-here one night — long ago — oh , so long ago , "[5049-the boy] said [the boy]5049-the boy , shaking [his]5049-the boy head , with a face whose solemnity was expressive of some prodigious lapse of time . " [She]5515-the pretty lady came when [I]187-georgey was not nearly so big as [I]187-georgey am now — and [she]5515-the pretty lady came at night — after [I]187-georgey 'd gone to bed , and [she]5515-the pretty lady came up into [[my]187-georgey room]6080-my room , and sat upon the bed , and cried — and [she]5515-the pretty lady left the watch under [my]187-georgey pillow , and [she]5515-the pretty lady — Why do [you]241-mrs. plowson make faces at [me]187-georgey , [Mrs. Plowson]241-mrs. plowson ? [I]187-georgey may tell [this gentleman]1183-this gentleman , "[187-georgey] [Georgey]187-georgey added , suddenly addressing [the widow]2172-the widow , who was standing behind [Robert]173-robert 's shoulder . [Mrs. Plowson]241-mrs. plowson mumbled some confused apology to the effect that [she]241-mrs. plowson was afraid [Master George]157-george was troublesome . " Suppose [you]241-mrs. plowson wait till [I]173-robert say so , [ma'am]6062-ma'am , before [you]241-mrs. plowson stop [the little fellow]5052-the little fellow 's mouth , "[173-robert] said [Robert Audley]173-robert , sharply . " [A suspicious person]6084-a suspicious person might think from [your]241-mrs. plowson manner that [Mr. Maldon]182-mr. maldon and [you]241-mrs. plowson had some conspiracy between [you]241-mrs. plowson , and that [you]241-mrs. plowson were afraid of what [the boy]5049-the boy 's talk may let slip . "[173-robert] [He]173-robert rose from [his]173-robert chair , and looked full at [Mrs. Plowson]241-mrs. plowson as [he]173-robert said this . [The fair - haired widow]2154-the fair - haired widow 's face was as white as [her]2154-the fair - haired widow cap when [she]2154-the fair - haired widow tried to answer [him]173-robert , and [her]2154-the fair - haired widow pale lips were so dry that [she]2154-the fair - haired widow was compelled to wet them with [her]2154-the fair - haired widow tongue before the words would come . [The little boy]5034-the little boy relieved [her]2154-the fair - haired widow embarrassment . " Do n't be cross to [Mrs. Plowson]241-mrs. plowson , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said . " [Mrs. Plowson]241-mrs. plowson is very kind to [me]173-robert . [Mrs. Plowson]241-mrs. plowson is [[Matilda]244-matilda 's mother]6086-matilda 's mother . [You]241-mrs. plowson do n't know [Matilda]244-matilda . Poor [Matilda]244-matilda was always crying ; [she]244-matilda was ill , [she]244-matilda — "[173-robert] [The boy]5049-the boy was stopped by the sudden appearance of [Mr. Maldon]182-mr. maldon , who stood on the threshold of the parlor door staring at [Robert Audley]173-robert with a half - drunken , half - terrified aspect , scarcely consistent with the dignity of [a retired naval officer]2176-a retired naval officer . [The servant girl]2177-the servant girl , breathless and panting , stood close behind [[her]2177-the servant girl master]2142-her master . Early in the day though it was , [the old man]694-the old man 's speech was thick and confused , as [he]694-the old man addressed [himself]694-the old man fiercely to [Mrs. Plowson]241-mrs. plowson . " [You]241-mrs. plowson 're [a prett ' creature]6087-a prett ' creature to call [[yoursel]241-mrs. plowson ' [sensible woman]6089-sensible woman]6088-yoursel ' sensible woman ? "[694-the old man] [he]694-the old man said . " Why do n't [you]241-mrs. plowson take th ' chile ' way , [er wash]6090-er wash 's face ? [D'yer]245-d'yer want to ruin [me]694-the old man ? [D'yer]245-d'yer want to ' stroy [me]694-the old man ? Take th ' chile ' way ! [Mr. Audley]173-robert , [sir]900-sir , [I]694-the old man 'm ver ' glad to see [yer]173-robert ; ver ' ' appy to ' ceive [yer]173-robert in [m]694-the old man ' humbl ' ' bode , "[694-the old man] [the old man]694-the old man added with tipsy politeness , dropping into a chair as [he]694-the old man spoke , and trying to look steadily at [[his]694-the old man unexpected visitor]2181-his unexpected visitor . " Whatever [this man]4719-this man 's secrets are , "[173-robert] thought [Robert]173-robert , as [Mrs. Plowson]241-mrs. plowson hustled [little George Talboys]157-george out of [the room]595-the room , " [that woman]6093-that woman has no unimportant share of them . Whatever the mystery may be , it grows darker and thicker at every step ; but [I]241-mrs. plowson try in vain to draw back or to stop short upon [the road]1231-the road , for a stronger hand than [my]241-mrs. plowson own is pointing the way to [[[my]241-mrs. plowson lost friend]6095-my lost friend 's unknown grave]6096-my lost friend 's unknown grave . "[241-mrs. plowson] " [I]173-robert am going to take [[your]694-the old man grandson]6097-your grandson away with [me]173-robert , [Mr. Maldon]182-mr. maldon , "[173-robert] [Robert]173-robert said gravely , as [Mrs. Plowson]241-mrs. plowson retired with [[her]241-mrs. plowson young charge]2183-her young charge . [The old man]694-the old man 's drunken imbecility was slowly clearing away like the heavy mists of a [London]3-london fog , through which the feeble sunshine struggles dimly to appear . The very uncertain radiance of [Lieutenant Maldon]242-lieutenant maldon 's intellect took a considerable time in piercing the hazy vapors of rum - and - water ; but the flickering light at last faintly glimmered athwart the clouds , and [the old man]694-the old man screwed [his]694-the old man poor wits to the sticking - point . " Yes , yes , "[242-lieutenant maldon] [he]242-lieutenant maldon said , feebly ; " take [the boy]5049-the boy away from [[his]5049-the boy poor old grandfather]6099-his poor old grandfather ; [I]242-lieutenant maldon always thought so . "[242-lieutenant maldon] " [You]2137-the lieutenant always thought that [I]242-lieutenant maldon should take [him]5049-the boy away ? "[242-lieutenant maldon] scrutinizing [the half - drunken countenance]2186-the half - drunken countenance with a searching glance . " Why did [you]2137-the lieutenant think so , [Mr. Maldon]182-mr. maldon ? "[242-lieutenant maldon] The fogs of intoxication got the better of the light of sobriety for a moment , and [the lieutenant]2137-the lieutenant answered vaguely : " Thought so—'cause [I]2137-the lieutenant thought so . "[2137-the lieutenant] Meeting [the young barrister]5094-the young barrister 's impatient frown , [he]242-lieutenant maldon made another effort , and the light glimmered again . " Because [I]242-lieutenant maldon thought [you]2137-the lieutenant or [[his]5049-the boy father]709-his father would fetch ' [m]242-lieutenant maldon away . "[242-lieutenant maldon] " When [I]242-lieutenant maldon was last in [this house]6101-this house , [Mr. Maldon]182-mr. maldon , [you]2137-the lieutenant told [me]242-lieutenant maldon that [George Talboys]157-george had sailed for [Australia]11-australia . "[242-lieutenant maldon] " Yes , yes — [I]694-the old man know , [I]694-the old man know , "[694-the old man] [the old man]694-the old man answered , confusedly , shuffling [his]694-the old man scanty limp gray hairs with [his]694-the old man two wandering hands—"I know ; but [he]694-the old man might have come back — mightn't [he]694-the old man ? [He]694-the old man was restless , and — and — queer in [his]694-the old man mind , perhaps , sometimes . [He]694-the old man might have come back . "[694-the old man] [He]694-the old man repeated this two or three times in feeble , muttering tones ; groping about on the littered mantle - piece for a dirty - looking clay pipe , and filling and lighting it with hands that trembled violently . [Robert Audley]173-robert watched those poor , withered , tremulous fingers dropping shreds of tobacco upon the hearth rug , and scarcely able to kindle a lucifer for [their]2190-their unsteadiness . Then walking once or twice up and down [the little room]2191-the little room , [he]173-robert left [the old man]694-the old man to take a few puffs from [the great consoler]2193-the great consoler . Presently [he]173-robert turned suddenly upon [the half - pay lieutenant]5045-the half - pay lieutenant with a dark solemnity in [his]694-the old man handsome face . " [Mr. Maldon]182-mr. maldon , "[694-the old man] [he]694-the old man said , slowly watching the effect of every syllable as [he]694-the old man spoke , " [George Talboys]157-george never sailed for [Australia]11-australia — that [I]694-the old man know . More than this , [he]157-george never came to [Southampton]33-southampton ; and the lie [you]182-mr. maldon told [me]694-the old man on the 8th of last September was dictated to [you]182-mr. maldon by the telegraphic message which [you]182-mr. maldon received on that day . "[694-the old man] The dirty clay pipe dropped from the tremulous hand , and shivered against the iron fender , but [the old man]694-the old man made no effort to find a fresh one ; [he]694-the old man sat trembling in every limb , and looking , [Heaven]201-heaven knows how piteously , at [Robert Audley]173-robert . " The lie was dictated to [you]182-mr. maldon , and [you]182-mr. maldon repeated [your]182-mr. maldon lesson . But [you]182-mr. maldon no more saw [George Talboys]157-george [here]4776-here on the 7th of September than [I]694-the old man see [him]157-george in [this room]5247-this room now . [You]182-mr. maldon thought [you]182-mr. maldon had burnt the telegraphic message , but [you]182-mr. maldon had only burnt a part of it — the remainder is in [my]694-the old man possession . "[694-the old man] [Lieutenant Maldon]242-lieutenant maldon was quite sober now . " What have [I]242-lieutenant maldon done ? "[242-lieutenant maldon] [he]242-lieutenant maldon murmured , hopelessly . " Oh , [[my]242-lieutenant maldon God]5536-my god ! what have [I]242-lieutenant maldon done ? "[242-lieutenant maldon] " At two o'clock on the 7th of September last , "[694-the old man] continued the pitiless , accusing voice , " [George Talboys]157-george was seen alive and well at [a house in [Essex]2-essex]6105-a house in essex . "[694-the old man] [Robert]173-robert paused to see the effect of these words . They had produced no change in [the old man]694-the old man . [He]694-the old man still sat trembling from head to foot , and staring with the fixed and solid gaze of [some helpless wretch whose every sense is gradually becoming numbed by terror]2197-some helpless wretch whose every sense is gradually becoming numbed by terror . " At two o'clock on that day , "[173-robert] remarked [Robert Audley]173-robert , " [[my]173-robert poor friend]6106-my poor friend was seen alive and well at — — , at [the house of which [I]173-robert speak]6107-the house of which i speak . From that hour to this [I]173-robert have never been able to hear that [he]6106-my poor friend has been seen by [any living creature]6108-any living creature . [I]173-robert have taken such steps as must have resulted in procuring the information of [his]6106-my poor friend whereabouts , were [he]6106-my poor friend alive . [I]173-robert have done this patiently and carefully — at first , even hopefully . Now [I]173-robert know that [he]6106-my poor friend is dead . "[173-robert] [Robert Audley]173-robert had been prepared to witness some considerable agitation in [the old man]694-the old man 's manner , but [he]173-robert was not prepared for the terrible anguish , the ghastly terror , which convulsed [Mr. Maldon]182-mr. maldon 's haggard face as [he]694-the old man uttered the last word . " No , no , no , no , "[2137-the lieutenant] reiterated [the lieutenant]2137-the lieutenant , in a shrill , half - screaming voice ; " no , no ! For [God]164-god 's sake , do n't say that ! Do n't think it — don't let [me]2137-the lieutenant think it — don't let [me]2137-the lieutenant dream of it ! Not dead — anything but dead ! Hidden away , perhaps — bribed to keep out of the way , perhaps ; but not dead — not dead — not dead ! "[2137-the lieutenant] [He]694-the old man cried these words aloud , like one beside [himself]694-the old man , beating [his]694-the old man hands upon [his]694-the old man gray head , and rocking backward and forward in [his]694-the old man chair . [His]694-the old man feeble hands trembled no longer — they were strengthened by some convulsive force that gave them a new power . " [I]173-robert believe , "[173-robert] said [Robert]173-robert , in the same solemn , relentless voice , " that [[my]173-robert friend]836-my friend left [Essex]2-essex ; and [I]173-robert believe [he]836-my friend died on the 7th of September last . "[173-robert] [The wretched old man]2200-the wretched old man , still beating [his]2200-the wretched old man hands among [his]2200-the wretched old man thin gray hair , slid from [his]2200-the wretched old man chair to the ground , and groveled at [Robert]173-robert 's feet . " Oh ! no , no — for [God]164-god 's , no ! "[2200-the wretched old man] [he]2200-the wretched old man shrieked hoarsely . " No ! [you]173-robert do n't know what [you]173-robert say — [you]173-robert do n't know what [your]173-robert words mean ! "[2200-the wretched old man] " [I]694-the old man know their weight and value only too well — as well as [I]694-the old man see [you]173-robert do , [Mr. Maldon]182-mr. maldon . [God]164-god help [us]6110-us ! "[694-the old man] " Oh , what am [I]694-the old man doing ? what am [I]694-the old man doing ? "[694-the old man] muttered [the old man]694-the old man , feebly ; then raising [himself]694-the old man from the ground with an effort , [he]694-the old man drew [himself]694-the old man to [his]694-the old man full height , and said , in a manner which was new to [him]694-the old man , and which was not without a certain dignity of [his]694-the old man own — that dignity which must be always attached to unutterable misery , in whatever form it may appear — [he]694-the old man said , gravely : " [You]173-robert have no right to come here and terrify [a man who has been drinking]6111-a man who has been drinking , and who is not quite [himself]6111-a man who has been drinking . [You]173-robert have no right to do it , [Mr. Audley]173-robert . Even the — [the officer]6112-the officer , [sir]900-sir , who — who—. "[694-the old man] [He]694-the old man did not stammer , but [his]694-the old man lips trembled so violently that [his]694-the old man words seemed to be shaken into pieces by their motion . " [The officer]6112-the officer , [I]694-the old man repeat , [sir]900-sir , who arrests [a — thief]6116-a — thief , or a—. "[694-the old man] [He]694-the old man stopped to wipe [his]694-the old man lips , and to still them if [he]694-the old man could by doing so , which [he]694-the old man could not . " [A thief]6117-a thief or [a murderer]5923-a murderer — "[694-the old man] [His]694-the old man voice died suddenly away upon the last word , and it was only by the motion of those trembling lips that [Robert]173-robert knew what [he]694-the old man meant . " Gives [him]694-the old man warning , [sir]900-sir , fair warning , that [he]694-the old man may say nothing which shall commit [himself]694-the old man — or — or — [other people]1822-other people . The — the — law , [sir]900-sir , has that amount of mercy for [a — a — suspected criminal]6122-a — a — suspected criminal . But [you]900-sir , [sir,—you]6123-sir,—you come to [[my]694-the old man house]6124-my house , and [you]900-sir come at a time when — when — contrary to [my]694-the old man usual habits — which , as [people]572-people will tell [you]900-sir , are sober — [you]900-sir take the opportunity to — terrify [me]694-the old man — and it is not right , [sir]900-sir — it is — "[694-the old man] Whatever [he]694-the old man would have said died away into inarticulate gasps , which seemed to choke [him]694-the old man , and sinking into a chair , [he]694-the old man dropped [his]694-the old man face upon the table , and wept aloud . Perhaps in all the dismal scenes of domestic misery which had been acted in [those spare and dreary houses]2202-those spare and dreary houses — in all the petty miseries , the burning shames , the cruel sorrows , the bitter disgraces which own poverty for [[their]2203-their father]2204-their father — there had never been such a scene as this . [An old man]2205-an old man hiding [his]2205-an old man face from the light of day , and sobbing aloud in [his]2205-an old man wretchedness . [Robert Audley]173-robert contemplated the painful picture with a hopeless and pitying face . " If [I]173-robert had known this , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert thought , " [I]173-robert might have spared [him]694-the old man . It would have been better , perhaps , to have spared [him]694-the old man . "[173-robert] [The shabby room]2206-the shabby room , the dirt , the confusion , the figure of [the old man]694-the old man , with [his]2205-an old man gray head upon the soiled tablecloth , amid the muddled débris of a wretched dinner , grew blurred before the sight of [Robert Audley]173-robert as [he]173-robert thought of [another man]2208-another man , as old as [this one]2209-this one , but , ah ! how widely different in every other quality ! [who might come by and by to feel the same , or even a worse anguish , and to shed , perhaps , yet bitterer tears]2210-who might come by and by to feel the same , or even a worse anguish , and to shed , perhaps , yet bitterer tears . The moment in which the tears rose to [his]173-robert eyes and dimmed the piteous scene before [him]173-robert , was long enough to take [him]173-robert back to [Essex]2-essex , and to show [him]173-robert the image of [[his]173-robert uncle]4872-his uncle , stricken by agony and shame . " Why do [I]173-robert go on with this ? "[173-robert] [he]173-robert thought ; " how pitiless [I]173-robert am , and how relentlessly [I]173-robert am carried on . It is not [myself]173-robert ; it is the hand which is beckoning [me]173-robert further and further upon [the dark road]6127-the dark road , whose end [I]173-robert dare not dream of . "[173-robert] [He]173-robert thought this , and a hundred times more than this , while [the old man]694-the old man sat with [his]694-the old man face still hidden , wrestling with [his]694-the old man anguish , but without power to keep it down . " [Mr. Maldon]182-mr. maldon , "[173-robert] [Robert Audley]173-robert said , after a pause , " [I]173-robert do not ask [you]182-mr. maldon to forgive [me]173-robert for what [I]173-robert have brought upon [you]182-mr. maldon , for the feeling is strong within [me]173-robert that it must have come to [you]182-mr. maldon sooner or later — if not through [me]173-robert , through some one else . There are — "[173-robert] [he]173-robert stopped for a moment hesitating . The sobbing did not cease ; it was sometimes low , sometimes loud , bursting out with fresh violence , or dying away for an instant , but never ceasing . " There are some things which , as [people]572-people say , can not be hidden . [I]694-the old man think there is truth in that common saying which had its origin in that old worldly wisdom which [people]572-people gathered from experience and not from books . If — if [I]694-the old man were content to let [[my]694-the old man friend]836-my friend rest in [[his]836-my friend hidden grave]6131-his hidden grave , it is but likely that [some stranger who had never heard the name of [George Talboys]157-george]6132-some stranger who had never heard the name of george talboys , might fall by the remotest accident upon the secret of [his]836-my friend death . To - morrow , perhaps ; or ten years hence , or in another generation , when the — the hand that wronged [him]836-my friend is as cold as [his]836-my friend own . If [I]694-the old man could let the matter rest ; if — if [I]694-the old man could leave [England]7-england forever , and purposely fly from the possibility of ever coming across another clew to the secret , [I]694-the old man would do it — [I]694-the old man would gladly , thankfully do it — but [I]694-the old man can not ! A hand which is stronger than [my]694-the old man own beckons [me]694-the old man on . [I]694-the old man wish to take no base advantage of [you]6133-you , less than of [all other people]6134-all other people ; but [I]694-the old man must go on ; [I]694-the old man must go on . If there is any warning [you]6133-you would give to [any one]5101-any one , give it . If the secret toward which [I]694-the old man am traveling day by day , hour by hour , involves [any one in whom [you]6133-you have an interest]6136-any one in whom you have an interest , let [that person]6137-that person fly before [I]694-the old man come to the end . Let [them]6137-that person leave [this country]6138-this country ; let [them]6137-that person leave all who know [them]6137-that person — all whose peace [their]6137-that person wickedness has endangered ; let [them]6137-that person go away — [they]6137-that person shall not be pursued . But if [they]6137-that person slight [your]6133-you warning — if [they]6137-that person try to hold [their]6137-that person present position in defiance of what it will be in [your]6133-you power to tell [them]6137-that person — let [them]6137-that person beware of [me]694-the old man , for , when the hour comes , [I]694-the old man swear that [I]694-the old man will not spare [them]6137-that person . "[694-the old man] [The old man]694-the old man looked up for the first time , and wiped [his]694-the old man wrinkled face upon a ragged silk handkerchief . " [I]694-the old man declare to [you]6133-you that [I]694-the old man do not understand [you]6133-you , "[694-the old man] [he]694-the old man said . " [I]694-the old man solemnly declare to [you]6133-you that [I]694-the old man can not understand ; and [I]694-the old man do not believe that [George Talboys]157-george is dead . "[694-the old man] " [I]173-robert would give ten years of [my]173-robert own life if [I]173-robert could see [him]157-george alive , "[173-robert] answered [Robert]173-robert , sadly . " [I]173-robert am sorry for [you]6133-you , [Mr. Maldon]182-mr. maldon — [I]173-robert am sorry for all of [us]6139-us . "[173-robert] " [I]2137-the lieutenant do not believe that [[my]2137-the lieutenant son - in - law]5526-my son - in - law is dead , "[2137-the lieutenant] said [the lieutenant]2137-the lieutenant ; " [I]2137-the lieutenant do not believe that [the poor lad]5822-the poor lad is dead . "[2137-the lieutenant] [He]2137-the lieutenant endeavored in a feeble manner to show to [Robert Audley]173-robert that [his]2137-the lieutenant wild outburst of anguish had been caused by [his]2137-the lieutenant grief for the loss of [George]157-george ; but the pretense was miserably shallow . [Mrs. Plowson]241-mrs. plowson re - entered [the room]595-the room , leading [little Georgey]187-georgey , whose face shone with that brilliant polish which yellow [soap and friction can produce upon the human countenance]2216-soap and friction can produce upon the human countenance . " [Dear heart]6142-dear heart alive ! "[241-mrs. plowson] exclaimed [Mrs. Plowson]241-mrs. plowson , " what has [the poor old gentleman]6143-the poor old gentleman been taking on about ? [We]6144-we could hear [him]6143-the poor old gentleman in [the passage]675-the passage , sobbin ' awful . "[241-mrs. plowson] [Little George]246-little george crept up to [[his]246-little george grandfather]5035-his grandfather , and smoothed the wet and wrinkled face with [his]246-little george pudgy hand . " Do n't cry , [gran'pa]6038-gran'pa , "[2137-the lieutenant] [he]2137-the lieutenant said , " do n't cry . [You]6038-gran'pa shall have [my]5049-the boy watch to be cleaned , and [the kind jeweler]6147-the kind jeweler shall lend [you]6038-gran'pa the money to pay [the taxman]6148-the taxman while [he]6147-the kind jeweler cleans the watch — [I]5049-the boy do n't mind , [gran'pa]6038-gran'pa . Let 's go to [the jeweler]6150-the jeweler , [the jeweler in [High street]6152-high street]6151-the jeweler in high street , [you]6038-gran'pa know , with golden balls painted upon [his]6150-the jeweler door , to show that [he]6150-the jeweler comes from [Lombar]79-lombar — [Lombardshire]80-lombardshire , "[5049-the boy] said [the boy]5049-the boy , making a dash at the name . " Come , [gran'pa]6038-gran'pa . "[5049-the boy] [The little fellow]5052-the little fellow took the jeweled toy from [his]5052-the little fellow bosom and made for the door , proud of being possessed of a talisman , which [he]5052-the little fellow had seen so often made useful . " There are wolves at [Southampton]33-southampton , "[5052-the little fellow] [he]5052-the little fellow said , with rather a triumphant nod to [Robert Audley]173-robert . " [[My]5052-the little fellow gran'pa]6154-my gran'pa says when [he]6154-my gran'pa takes [my]5052-the little fellow watch that [he]6154-my gran'pa does it to keep the wolf from the door . Are there wolves where [you]5037-the child live ? "[5052-the little fellow] [The young barrister]5094-the young barrister did not answer [the child]5037-the child 's question , but stopped [him]5094-the young barrister as [he]5094-the young barrister was dragging [[his]5037-the child grandfather]5035-his grandfather toward the door . " [[Your]5037-the child grandpapa]6054-your grandpapa does not want the watch to - day , [Georgey]187-georgey , "[5052-the little fellow] [he]5052-the little fellow said , gravely . " Why is [he]6154-my gran'pa sorry , then ? "[187-georgey] asked [Georgey]187-georgey , naively ; " when [he]6154-my gran'pa wants the watch [he]6154-my gran'pa is always sorry , and beats [his]6154-my gran'pa poor forehead [so"—the[5052-the little fellow] boy]6156-so"—the boy stopped to pantomime with [his]5035-his grandfather small fists—"and says that [she]6157-she — [the pretty lady]5515-the pretty lady , [I]5035-his grandfather think [he]6154-my gran'pa means — uses [him]6154-my gran'pa very hard , and that [he]6154-my gran'pa ca n't keep the wolf from the door ; and then [I]5035-his grandfather say , ' [Gran'pa]243-gran'pa , have the watch ; ' and then [he]6154-my gran'pa takes [me]5035-his grandfather in [his]6154-my gran'pa arms , and says , ' Oh , [[my]5035-his grandfather blessed angel]6159-my blessed angel ! how can [I]5035-his grandfather rob [[my]5035-his grandfather blessed angel]6159-my blessed angel ? ' and then [he]6154-my gran'pa cries , but not like to - day — not loud , [you]6161-you know ; only tears running down [his]6154-my gran'pa poor cheeks , not so that [you]6161-you could hear [him]6154-my gran'pa in [the passage]675-the passage . "[5035-his grandfather] Painful as [the child]5037-the child 's prattle was to [Robert Audley]173-robert , it seemed a relief to [the old man]694-the old man . [He]694-the old man did not hear [the boy]5049-the boy 's talk , but walked two or three times up and down [the little room]2191-the little room and smoothed [his]694-the old man rumpled hair and suffered [his]694-the old man cravat to be arranged by [Mrs. Plowson]241-mrs. plowson , who seemed very anxious to find out the cause of [his]694-the old man agitation . " [Poor dear old gentleman]6163-poor dear old gentleman , "[241-mrs. plowson] [she]241-mrs. plowson said , looking at [Robert]173-robert . " What has happened to upset [him]694-the old man so ? "[241-mrs. plowson] " [[His]694-the old man son - in - law]5041-his son - in - law is dead , "[173-robert] answered [Mr. Audley]173-robert , fixing [his]173-robert eyes upon [Mrs. Plowson]241-mrs. plowson 's sympathetic face . " [He]694-the old man died , within a year and a half after the death of [Helen Talboys]179-helen talboys , who lies buried in [Ventnor churchyard]6165-ventnor churchyard . "[241-mrs. plowson] The face into which [he]173-robert was looking changed very slightly , but the eyes that had been looking at [him]173-robert shifted away as [he]173-robert spoke , and [Mrs. Plowson]241-mrs. plowson was obliged to moisten [her]241-mrs. plowson white lips with [her]241-mrs. plowson tongue before [she]241-mrs. plowson answered [him]173-robert . " [Poor Mr. Talboys]157-george dead ! "[241-mrs. plowson] [she]241-mrs. plowson said ; " that is bad news indeed , [sir]900-sir . "[241-mrs. plowson] [Little George]246-little george looked wistfully up at [[his]246-little george guardian]2155-his guardian 's face as this was said . " Who 's dead ? "[246-little george] [he]246-little george said . " [George Talboys]157-george is [my]246-little george name . Who 's dead ? "[246-little george] " Another person whose name is [Talboys]179-helen talboys , [Georgey]187-georgey . "[2155-his guardian] " [Poor person]6167-poor person ! Will [he]187-georgey go to [the pit - hole]6168-the pit - hole ? "[5049-the boy] [The boy]5049-the boy had that notion of death which is generally imparted to [children]5631-children by [[their]5631-children wise elders]2230-their wise elders , and which always leads [the infant mind]2231-the infant mind to the open grave and rarely carries it any higher . " [I]187-georgey should like to see [him]187-georgey put in the pit - hole , "[187-georgey] [Georgey]187-georgey remarked , after a pause . [He]187-georgey had attended several infant funerals in [the neighborhood]504-the neighborhood , and was considered valuable as [a mourner]2233-a mourner on account of [his]187-georgey interesting appearance . [He]187-georgey had come , therefore , to look upon the ceremony of interment as a solemn festivity ; in which cake and wine , and a carriage drive were the leading features . " [You]694-the old man have no objection to [my]173-robert taking [Georgey]187-georgey away with [me]173-robert , [Mr. Maldon]182-mr. maldon ? "[173-robert] asked [Robert Audley]173-robert . [The old man]694-the old man 's agitation had very much subsided by this time . [He]173-robert had found another pipe stuck behind the tawdry frame of the looking - glass , and was trying to light it with a bit of twisted newspaper . " [You]694-the old man do not object , [Mr. Maldon]182-mr. maldon ? "[173-robert] " No , [sir]900-sir — no , [sir]900-sir ; [you]900-sir are [[his]187-georgey guardian]2155-his guardian , and [you]900-sir have a right to take [him]187-georgey where [you]900-sir please . [He]187-georgey has been a very great comfort to [me]173-robert in [my]173-robert lonely old age , but [I]173-robert have been prepared to lose [him]187-georgey . [I]173-robert — [I]173-robert may not have always done [my]173-robert duty to [him]187-georgey , [sir]900-sir , in — in the way of schooling , and — and boots . The number of boots which [boys of]6173-boys of [his]187-georgey age wear out , [sir]900-sir , is not easily realized by the mind of [a young man]4958-a young man like [yourself]900-sir ; [he]187-georgey has been kept away from [school]6042-school , perhaps , sometimes , and occasionally worn shabby boots when [our]6177-our funds have got low ; but [he]187-georgey has not been unkindly treated . No , [sir]900-sir ; if [you]900-sir were to question [him]187-georgey for a week , [I]173-robert do n't think [you]900-sir 'd hear that [[his]187-georgey poor old grandfather]6099-his poor old grandfather ever said a harsh word to [him]187-georgey . "[173-robert] Upon this , [Georgie]157-george , perceiving the distress of [[his]157-george old protector]2235-his old protector , set up a terrible howl , and declared that [he]2235-his old protector would never leave [him]2235-his old protector . " [Mr. Maldon]182-mr. maldon , "[173-robert] said [Robert Audley]173-robert , with a tone which was half - mournful , half - compassionate , " when [I]2236-i looked at [my]2236-i position last night , [I]2236-i did not believe that [I]2236-i could ever come to think it more painful than [I]2236-i thought it then . [I]2236-i can only say — [God]164-god have mercy upon [[us]6180-us all]6181-us all . [I]2236-i feel it [my]2236-i duty to take [the child]5037-the child away , but [I]2236-i shall take [him]5037-the child straight from [[your]182-mr. maldon house]6183-your house to [the best school in [Southampton]33-southampton]6184-the best school in southampton ; and [I]2236-i give [you]182-mr. maldon [my]2236-i honor that [I]2236-i will extort nothing from [his]5037-the child innocent simplicity which can in any manner — [I]2236-i mean , "[2236-i] [he]2236-i said , breaking off abruptly , " [I]2236-i mean this . [I]2236-i will not seek to come one step nearer the secret through [him]5037-the child . [I]2236-i — [I]2236-i am not [a detective officer]6185-a detective officer , and [I]2236-i do not think [the most accomplished detective]6186-the most accomplished detective would like to get [his]6186-the most accomplished detective information from [a child]4759-a child . "[2236-i] [The old man]694-the old man did not answer ; [he]694-the old man sat with [his]694-the old man face shaded by [his]694-the old man hand , and with [his]694-the old man extinguished pipe between the listless fingers of the other . " Take [the boy]5049-the boy away , [Mrs. Plowson]241-mrs. plowson , "[2236-i] [he]2236-i said , after a pause ; " take [him]5049-the boy away and put [his]5049-the boy things on . [He]5049-the boy is going with [Mr. Audley]173-robert . "[2236-i] " Which [I]241-mrs. plowson do say that it 's not kind of [the gentleman]4994-the gentleman to take [[his]4994-the gentleman poor grandpa]6190-his poor grandpa 's pet away , "[241-mrs. plowson] [Mrs. Plowson]241-mrs. plowson exclaimed , suddenly , with respectful indignation . " Hush , [Mrs. Plowson]241-mrs. plowson , "[694-the old man] [the old man]694-the old man answered , piteously ; " [Mr. Audley]173-robert is [the best judge]6191-the best judge . [I]694-the old man — [I]694-the old man have n't many years to live ; [I]694-the old man sha'n't trouble [anybody]706-anybody long . "[694-the old man] The tears oozed slowly through the dirty fingers with which [he]694-the old man shaded [his]694-the old man blood - shot eyes , as [he]694-the old man said this . " God knows , [I]694-the old man never injured [[your]694-the old man friend]5065-your friend , [sir]900-sir , "[694-the old man] [he]694-the old man said , by - and - by , when [Mrs. Plowson]241-mrs. plowson and [Georgey]187-georgey had returned , " nor even wished [him]5065-your friend any ill . [He]5065-your friend was [a good son - in - law to [me]694-the old man]6195-a good son - in - law to me — better than [many a son]6196-many a son . [I]694-the old man never did [him]5065-your friend any wilful wrong , [sir]900-sir . [I]694-the old man — [I]694-the old man spent [his]5065-your friend money , perhaps , but [I]694-the old man am sorry for it — [I]694-the old man am very sorry for it now . But [I]694-the old man do n't believe [he]5065-your friend is dead — no , [sir]900-sir ; no , [I]694-the old man do n't believe it ! "[694-the old man] exclaimed [the old man]694-the old man , dropping [his]694-the old man hand from [his]694-the old man eyes , and looking with new energy at [Robert Audley]173-robert . " [I]694-the old man — [I]694-the old man do n't believe it , [sir]900-sir ! How — how should [he]5065-your friend be dead ? "[694-the old man] [Robert]173-robert did not answer this eager questioning . [He]173-robert shook [his]173-robert head mournfully , and , walking to the little window , looked out across a row of straggling geraniums at [the dreary patch of waste ground on which [the children]2241-the children were at play]2240-the dreary patch of waste ground on which the children were at play . [Mrs. Plowson]241-mrs. plowson returned with [little Georgey]187-georgey muffled in a coat and comforter , and [Robert]173-robert took [the boy]5049-the boy 's hand . [The little fellow]5052-the little fellow sprung toward [the old man]694-the old man , and clinging about [him]694-the old man , kissed the dirty tears from [his]694-the old man faded cheeks . " Do n't be sorry for [me]694-the old man , [gran'pa]6038-gran'pa , "[694-the old man] [he]694-the old man said ; " [I]694-the old man am going to [school]6042-school to learn to be [a clever man]6202-a clever man , and [I]694-the old man shall come [home]479-home to see [you]173-robert and [Mrs. Plowson]241-mrs. plowson , sha'n't [I]694-the old man ? "[694-the old man] [he]694-the old man added , turning to [Robert]173-robert . " Yes , [[my]694-the old man dear]4626-my dear , by - and - by . "[694-the old man] " Take [him]5052-the little fellow away , [sir]900-sir — take [him]5052-the little fellow away , "[182-mr. maldon] cried [Mr. Maldon]182-mr. maldon ; " [you]173-robert are breaking [my]182-mr. maldon heart . "[182-mr. maldon] [The little fellow]5052-the little fellow trotted away contentedly at [Robert]173-robert 's side . [He]173-robert was very well pleased at the idea of going to [school]6042-school , though [he]173-robert had been happy enough with [[his]173-robert drunken old grandfather]2247-his drunken old grandfather , who had always displayed a maudlin affection for [the pretty child]2248-the pretty child , and had done [his]2247-his drunken old grandfather best to spoil [Georgey]187-georgey , by letting [him]187-georgey have [his]187-georgey own way in everything ; in consequence of which indulgence , [Master Talboys]157-george had acquired a taste for late hours , hot suppers of the most indigestible nature , and sips of rum - and - water from [[his]173-robert grandfather]5035-his grandfather 's glass . [He]157-george communicated [his]157-george sentiments upon many subjects to [Robert Audley]173-robert , as [they]2250-they walked to [the Dolphin Hotel]2251-the dolphin hotel ; but [the barrister]955-the barrister did not encourage [him]173-robert to talk . It was no very difficult matter to find [a good school in such a place as [Southampton]33-southampton]2253-a good school in such a place as southampton . [Robert Audley]173-robert was directed to [a pretty house between [the Bar]4928-the bar and [the Avenue]754-the avenue]2254-a pretty house between the bar and the avenue , and leaving [Georgey]187-georgey to the care of [a good - natured waiter , who seemed to have nothing to do but to look out of the window]2257-a good - natured waiter , who seemed to have nothing to do but to look out of the window , and whisk invisible dust off the brightly polished tables , [the barrister]955-the barrister walked up [the High street]2259-the high street toward [[Mr. Marchmont]247-mr. marchmont 's academy for [young gentlemen]2261-young gentlemen]2260-mr. marchmont 's academy for young gentlemen . [He]173-robert found [Mr. Marchmont]247-mr. marchmont [a very sensible man]2262-a very sensible man , and [he]173-robert met a file of [orderly - looking young gentlemen]2263-orderly - looking young gentlemen walking townward under the escort of [a couple of ushers]2264-a couple of ushers as [he]173-robert entered [the house]388-the house . [He]173-robert told [the schoolmaster]2266-the schoolmaster that [little George Talboys]157-george had been left in [his]173-robert charge by [a dear friend , who had sailed for [Australia]11-australia some months before , and whom [he]173-robert believed to be dead]2267-a dear friend , who had sailed for australia some months before , and whom he believed to be dead . [He]173-robert confided [him]157-george to [Mr. Marchmont]247-mr. marchmont 's especial care , and [he]173-robert further requested that [no visitors]2268-no visitors should be admitted to see [the boy]5049-the boy unless accredited by a letter from [himself]173-robert . Having arranged the matter in a very few business - like words , [he]173-robert returned to [the hotel]4975-the hotel to fetch [Georgey]187-georgey . [He]173-robert found [the little man]6061-the little man on intimate terms with [the idle waiter , who had been directing [Master Georgey]187-georgey 's attention to the different objects of interest in [the High street]2259-the high street]2272-the idle waiter , who had been directing master georgey 's attention to the different objects of interest in the high street . [Poor Robert]248-poor robert had about as much notion of the requirements of [a child]4759-a child as [he]248-poor robert had of those of a white elephant . [He]248-poor robert had catered for silkworms , guinea - pigs , dormice , canary - birds , and dogs , without number , during [his]248-poor robert boyhood , but [he]248-poor robert had never been called upon to provide for [a young person of five years old]2275-a young person of five years old . [He]248-poor robert looked back five - and - twenty years , and tried to remember [his]248-poor robert own diet at the age of five . " [I]248-poor robert 've a vague recollection of getting a good deal of bread and milk and boiled mutton , "[248-poor robert] [he]248-poor robert thought ; " and [I]248-poor robert 've another vague recollection of not liking them . [I]248-poor robert wonder if [this boy]6206-this boy likes bread and milk and boiled mutton . "[248-poor robert] [He]248-poor robert stood pulling [his]248-poor robert thick mustache and staring thoughtfully at [the child]5037-the child for some minutes before [he]248-poor robert could get any further . " [I]248-poor robert dare say [you]5037-the child 're hungry , [Georgey]187-georgey ? "[248-poor robert] [he]248-poor robert said , at last . [The boy]5049-the boy nodded , and [the waiter]4929-the waiter whisked some more invisible dust from the nearest table as a preparatory step toward laying a cloth . " Perhaps [you]5037-the child 'd like some lunch ? "[4929-the waiter] [Mr. Audley]173-robert suggested , still pulling [his]248-poor robert mustache . [The boy]5049-the boy burst out laughing . " Lunch ! "[5049-the boy] [he]5049-the boy cried . " Why , it 's afternoon , and [I]5049-the boy 've had [my]5049-the boy dinner . "[5049-the boy] [Robert Audley]173-robert felt [himself]173-robert brought to a standstill . What refreshment could [he]248-poor robert possibly provide for [a boy who called it afternoon at three o'clock]2280-a boy who called it afternoon at three o'clock ? " [You]5037-the child shall have some bread and milk , [Georgey]187-georgey , "[248-poor robert] [he]248-poor robert said , presently . " [Waiter]6207-waiter , bread and milk , and a pint of hock . "[248-poor robert] [Master Talboys]157-george made a wry face . " [I]248-poor robert never have bread and milk , "[248-poor robert] [he]248-poor robert said , " [I]248-poor robert do n't like it . [I]248-poor robert like what [gran'pa]6038-gran'pa calls something savory . [I]248-poor robert should like a veal cutlet . [Gran'pa]243-gran'pa told [me]248-poor robert [he]243-gran'pa dined [here]4776-here once , and the veal cutlets were lovely , [gran'pa]6038-gran'pa said . Please may [I]248-poor robert have a veal cutlet , with egg and bread - crumb , [you]5037-the child know , and lemon - juice [you]5037-the child know ? "[248-poor robert] [he]248-poor robert added to [the waiter]4929-the waiter : " [Gran'pa]243-gran'pa knows [the cook]6211-the cook [here]4776-here . [The cook]6211-the cook 's such [a nice gentleman]6214-a nice gentleman , and once gave [me]187-georgey a shilling , when [gran'pa]6038-gran'pa brought [me]187-georgey [here]4776-here . [The cook]6211-the cook wears better clothes than [gran'pa]6038-gran'pa — better than [yours]173-robert , even , "[187-georgey] said [Master Georgey]187-georgey , pointing to [Robert]173-robert 's rough great - coat with a depreciating nod . [Robert Audley]173-robert stared aghast . How was [he]173-robert to deal with [this epicure of five years old , who rejected bread and milk and asked for veal cutlets]2282-this epicure of five years old , who rejected bread and milk and asked for veal cutlets ? " [I]187-georgey 'll tell [you]173-robert what [I]187-georgey 'll do with [you]173-robert , [little Georgey]187-georgey , "[187-georgey] [he]187-georgey exclaimed , after a pause—"I'll give [you]173-robert a dinner ! "[4929-the waiter] [The waiter]4929-the waiter nodded briskly . " Upon [my]187-georgey word , [sir]900-sir , "[187-georgey] [he]187-georgey said , approvingly , " [I]187-georgey think [the little gentleman]6220-the little gentleman will know how to eat it . "[187-georgey] " [I]4929-the waiter 'll give [you]173-robert a dinner , [Georgey]187-georgey , "[4929-the waiter] repeated [Robert—"some]249-robert—"some stewed eels , a little Julienne , a dish of cutlets , a bird , and a pudding . What do [you]173-robert say to that , [Georgey]187-georgey ? "[187-georgey] " [I]4929-the waiter do n't think [the young gentleman]6221-the young gentleman will object to it when [he]6221-the young gentleman sees it , [sir]900-sir , "[4929-the waiter] said [the waiter]4929-the waiter . " Eels , Julienne , cutlets , bird , pudding — [I'll]4929-the waiter go and tell [the cook]6211-the cook , [sir]900-sir . What time , [sir]900-sir ? "[4929-the waiter] " Well , [we]6226-we 'll say six , and [Master Georgey]187-georgey will get to [[his]187-georgey new school]6227-his new school by bedtime . [You]173-robert can contrive to amuse [the child]5037-the child for this afternoon , [I]173-robert dare say . [I]173-robert have some business to settle , and sha'n't be able to take [him]5037-the child out . [I]173-robert shall sleep [here]4776-here to - night . Good - by , [Georgey]187-georgey ; take care of [yourself]187-georgey and try and get [your]187-georgey appetite in order against six o'clock . "[173-robert] [Robert Audley]173-robert left [the boy]5049-the boy in charge of [the idle waiter]2286-the idle waiter , and strolled down to [the water side]2287-the water side , choosing that lonely bank which leads away under the moldering walls of [the town]2092-the town toward [the little villages beside [the narrowing river]2290-the narrowing river]2289-the little villages beside the narrowing river . [He]173-robert had purposely avoided [the society of [the child]5037-the child]2291-the society of the child , and [he]173-robert walked through the light drifting snow till the early darkness closed upon [him]173-robert . [He]173-robert went back to [the town]2092-the town , and made inquiries at [the station]1271-the station about [the trains]1422-the trains for [Dorsetshire]76-dorsetshire . " [I]173-robert shall start early to - morrow morning , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert thought , " and see [[George]157-george 's father]6230-george 's father before nightfall . [I]173-robert will tell [him]6230-george 's father all — all but the interest which [I]173-robert take in — in [the suspected person]6231-the suspected person , and [he]6230-george 's father shall decide what is next to be done . "[173-robert] [Master Georgey]187-georgey did very good justice to the dinner which [Robert]173-robert had ordered . [He]187-georgey drank [Bass]250-bass ' pale ale to an extent which considerably alarmed [[his]187-georgey entertainer]2296-his entertainer , and enjoyed [himself]187-georgey amazingly , showing an appreciation of roast pheasant and bread - sauce which was beyond [his]187-georgey years . At eight o'clock a fly was brought out for [his]187-georgey accommodation , and [he]187-georgey departed in the highest spirits , with a sovereign in [his]187-georgey pocket , and a letter from [Robert]173-robert to [Mr. Marchmont]247-mr. marchmont , inclosing a check for [the young gentleman]6221-the young gentleman 's outfit . " [I]173-robert 'm glad [I]173-robert 'm going to have new clothes , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said , as [he]173-robert bade [Robert]173-robert good - by ; " for [Mrs. Plowson]241-mrs. plowson has mended the old ones ever so many times . [She]241-mrs. plowson can have them now , for [Billy]251-billy . "[173-robert] " Who 's [Billy]251-billy ? "[173-robert] [Robert]173-robert asked , laughing at [the boy]5049-the boy 's chatter . " [Billy]251-billy is [poor [Matilda]244-matilda 's little boy]6232-poor matilda 's little boy . [He]251-billy 's [a common boy]6233-a common boy , [you]173-robert know . [Matilda]244-matilda was common , but [she]244-matilda — "[173-robert] But [the flyman]2299-the flyman snapping [his]2299-the flyman whip at this moment , the old horse jogged off , and [Robert Audley]173-robert heard no more of [Matilda]244-matilda . [Mr. Harcourt Talboys]239-mr. talboys lived in [a prim , square , red - brick mansion , within a mile of [a little village called Grange Heath]2301-a little village called grange heath , in [Dorsetshire]76-dorsetshire]2300-a prim , square , red - brick mansion , within a mile of a little village called grange heath , in dorsetshire . [The prim , square , red - brick mansion]2302-the prim , square , red - brick mansion stood in [the center of [prim , square grounds]2304-prim , square grounds]2303-the center of prim , square grounds , scarcely large enough to be called [a park]2305-a park , too large to be called anything else — so neither [the house]388-the house nor [the grounds]5571-the grounds had any name , and [the estate]2308-the estate was simply designated [Squire Talboys]252-squire talboys ' . Perhaps [Mr. Harcourt Talboys]239-mr. talboys was [the last person in [this world]2310-this world with whom it was possible to associate the homely , hearty , rural old English title of [squire]2311-squire]2309-the last person in this world with whom it was possible to associate the homely , hearty , rural old english title of squire . [He]239-mr. talboys neither hunted nor farmed . [He]239-mr. talboys had never worn crimson , pink , or top - boots in [his]239-mr. talboys life . A southerly wind and a cloudy sky were matters of supreme indifference to [him]239-mr. talboys , so long as they did not in any way interfere with [his]239-mr. talboys own prim comforts ; and [he]239-mr. talboys only cared for the state of the crops inasmuch as it involved the hazard of certain rents which [he]239-mr. talboys received for [the farms upon [his]239-mr. talboys estate]2312-the farms upon his estate . [He]239-mr. talboys was [a man of about fifty years of age]2313-a man of about fifty years of age , tall , straight , bony and angular , with a square , pale face , light gray eyes , and scanty dark hair , brushed from either ear across a bald crown , and thus imparting to [his]239-mr. talboys physiognomy some faint resemblance to that of a terrier — a sharp , uncompromising , hard - headed terrier — a terrier not to be taken in by [the cleverest dog - stealer who ever distinguished [himself]239-mr. talboys in [his]239-mr. talboys profession]2314-the cleverest dog - stealer who ever distinguished himself in his profession . [Nobody]566-nobody ever remembered getting upon what is popularly called the blind side of [Harcourt Talboys]239-mr. talboys . [He]239-mr. talboys was like [[his]239-mr. talboys own square - built , northern - fronted , shelterless house]2316-his own square - built , northern - fronted , shelterless house . There were no shady nooks in [his]239-mr. talboys character into which [one]5487-one could creep for shelter from [his]239-mr. talboys hard daylight . [He]239-mr. talboys was all daylight . [He]239-mr. talboys looked at everything in the same broad glare of intellectual sunlight , and would see no softening shadows that might alter the sharp outlines of cruel facts , subduing them to beauty . [I]0-i do not know if [I]0-i express what [I]0-i mean , when [I]0-i say that there were no curves in [his]239-mr. talboys character — that [his]239-mr. talboys mind ran in straight lines , never diverging to the right or the left to round off their pitiless angles . With [him]239-mr. talboys right was right , and wrong was wrong . [He]239-mr. talboys had never in [his]239-mr. talboys merciless , conscientious life admitted the idea that circumstances might mitigate the blackness of wrong or weaken the force of right . [He]239-mr. talboys had cast off [[his]239-mr. talboys only son]2318-his only son because [[his]239-mr. talboys only son]2318-his only son had disobeyed [him]239-mr. talboys , and [he]239-mr. talboys was ready to cast off [[his]239-mr. talboys only daughter]1484-his only daughter at five minutes ' notice for the same reason . If [this square - built , hard - headed man]2321-this square - built , hard - headed man could be possessed of such a weakness as vanity , [he]239-mr. talboys was certainly vain of [his]239-mr. talboys hardness . [He]239-mr. talboys was vain of that inflexible squareness of intellect , which made [him]239-mr. talboys [the disagreeable creature that [he]239-mr. talboys was]2322-the disagreeable creature that he was . [He]239-mr. talboys was vain of that unwavering obstinacy which no influence of love or pity had ever been known to bend from its remorseless purpose . [He]239-mr. talboys was vain of the negative force of a nature which had [never known the weakness of the affections , or the strength which may be born of that very weakness]2323-never known the weakness of the affections , or the strength which may be born of that very weakness . If [he]239-mr. talboys had regretted [[his]239-mr. talboys son]4957-his son 's marriage , and the breach of [his]239-mr. talboys own making , between [himself]239-mr. talboys and [George]157-george , [his]239-mr. talboys vanity had been more powerful than [his]239-mr. talboys regret , and had enabled [him]239-mr. talboys to conceal it . Indeed , unlikely as it appears at the first glance that [such a man as this]2325-such a man as this could have been vain , [I]0-i have little doubt that vanity was the center from which radiated all the disagreeable lines in the character of [Mr. Harcourt Talboys]239-mr. talboys . [I]0-i dare say [Junius Brutus]253-junius brutus was vain , and enjoyed the approval of awe - stricken [Rome]81-rome when [he]253-junius brutus ordered [[his]253-junius brutus son]4957-his son off for execution . [Harcourt Talboys]239-mr. talboys would have sent poor [George]157-george from [his]157-george presence between the reversed fasces of [the lictors]2327-the lictors , and grimly relished [his]157-george own agony . Heaven only knows how bitterly [this hard man]2328-this hard man may have felt the separation between [himself]2328-this hard man and [[his]2328-this hard man only son]2318-his only son , or how much the more terrible the anguish might have been made by that unflinching self - conceit which concealed the torture . " [[My]239-mr. talboys son]6234-my son did [me]239-mr. talboys an unpardonable wrong by marrying [the daughter of [a drunken pauper]6236-a drunken pauper]6235-the daughter of a drunken pauper , "[239-mr. talboys] [Mr. Talboys]239-mr. talboys would answer to [any one who had the temerity to speak to [him]239-mr. talboys about [George]157-george]2330-any one who had the temerity to speak to him about george , " and from that hour [I]239-mr. talboys had no longer [a son]708-a son . [I]239-mr. talboys wish [him]157-george no ill . [He]157-george is simply dead to [me]239-mr. talboys . [I]239-mr. talboys am sorry for [him]157-george , as [I]239-mr. talboys am sorry for [[his]157-george mother]533-his mother who died nineteen years ago . If [you]2330-any one who had the temerity to speak to him about george talk to [me]239-mr. talboys of [him]157-george as [you]2330-any one who had the temerity to speak to him about george would talk of [the dead]1100-the dead , [I]239-mr. talboys shall be ready to hear [you]2330-any one who had the temerity to speak to him about george . If [you]2330-any one who had the temerity to speak to him about george speak of [him]157-george as [you]2330-any one who had the temerity to speak to him about george would speak of [the living]6022-the living , [I]239-mr. talboys must decline to listen . "[239-mr. talboys] [I]0-i believe that [Harcourt Talboys]239-mr. talboys hugged [himself]239-mr. talboys upon the gloomy Roman grandeur of this speech , and that [he]239-mr. talboys would like to have worn a toga , and wrapped [himself]239-mr. talboys sternly in its folds , as [he]239-mr. talboys turned [his]239-mr. talboys back upon [poor [George]157-george 's intercessor]2331-poor george 's intercessor . [George]157-george never in [[his]157-george own person]2332-his own person made any effort to soften [[his]157-george father]709-his father 's verdict . [He]157-george knew [[his]157-george father]709-his father well enough to know that the case was hopeless . " If [I]667-the young man write to [him]709-his father , [he]709-his father will fold [my]667-the young man letter with the envelope inside , and indorse it with [my]667-the young man name and the date of its arrival , "[667-the young man] [the young man]667-the young man would say , " and call [everybody in [the house]388-the house]5671-everybody in the house to witness that it had not moved [him]709-his father to one softening recollection or one pitiful thought . [He]709-his father will stick to [his]709-his father resolution to [his]709-his father dying day . [I]667-the young man dare say , if the truth was known , [he]709-his father is glad that [[his]709-his father only son]2318-his only son has offended [him]709-his father and given [him]709-his father the opportunity of parading [his]709-his father Roman virtues . "[667-the young man] [George]157-george had answered [[his]157-george wife]554-his wife thus when [she]554-his wife and [[her]554-his wife father]481-her father had urged [him]157-george to ask assistance from [Harcourt Talboys]239-mr. talboys . " No [[my]157-george darling]4709-my darling , "[157-george] [he]157-george would say , conclusively . " It 's very hard , perhaps , to be poor , but [we]6245-we will bear it . [We]6245-we wo n't go with pitiful faces to [the stern father]6246-the stern father , and ask [him]6246-the stern father to give [us]6245-we food and shelter , only to be refused in long , Johnsonian sentences , and made a classical example for the benefit of [the neighborhood]504-the neighborhood . No , [[my]157-george pretty one]852-my pretty one ; it is easy to starve , but it is difficult to stoop . "[157-george] Perhaps [poor Mrs. George]181-george talboys did not agree very heartily to the first of these two propositions . [She]181-george talboys had no great fancy for starving , and [she]181-george talboys whimpered pitifully when the pretty pint bottles of champagne , with Cliquot 's and [Moet]254-moet 's brands upon [their]2338-their corks , were exchanged for sixpenny ale , procured by [a slipshod attendant from [the nearest beer - shop]2340-the nearest beer - shop]2339-a slipshod attendant from the nearest beer - shop . [George]181-george talboys had been obliged to carry [his]157-george own burden and lend a helping hand with that of [[his]157-george wife]554-his wife , who had no idea of keeping [her]554-his wife regrets or disappointments a secret . " [I]554-his wife thought [dragoons]6249-dragoons were always rich , "[554-his wife] [she]554-his wife used to say , peevishly . " [Girls]6250-girls always want to marry [dragoons]6249-dragoons ; and [tradespeople]5475-tradespeople always want to serve [dragoons]6249-dragoons ; and [hotel - keepers]6254-hotel - keepers to entertain [dragoons]6249-dragoons ; and [theatrical managers]6256-theatrical managers to be patronized by [dragoons]6249-dragoons . Who could have ever expected that [a dragoon]6258-a dragoon would drink sixpenny ale , smoke horrid bird's - eye tobacco , and let [[his]6258-a dragoon wife]554-his wife wear a shabby bonnet ? "[554-his wife] If there were any selfish feelings displayed in such speeches as these , [George Talboys]181-george talboys had never discovered it . [He]157-george had loved and believed in [[his]157-george wife]554-his wife from the first to the last hour of [his]157-george brief married life . The love that is not blind is perhaps only a spurious divinity after all ; for when [Cupid]255-cupid takes the fillet from [his]255-cupid eyes it is a fatally certain indication that [he]255-cupid is preparing to spread [his]255-cupid wings for a flight . [George]181-george talboys never forgot the hour in which [he]157-george had first become bewitched by [[Lieutenant Maldon]242-lieutenant maldon 's pretty daughter]2343-lieutenant maldon 's pretty daughter , and however [she]2343-lieutenant maldon 's pretty daughter might have changed , the image which had charmed [him]157-george then , unchanged and unchanging , represented [her]2343-lieutenant maldon 's pretty daughter in [his]157-george heart . [Robert Audley]173-robert left [Southampton]33-southampton by [a train which started before daybreak]2344-a train which started before daybreak , and reached [[Wareham]82-wareham station]2345-wareham station early in the day . [He]173-robert hired [a vehicle]2346-a vehicle at [Wareham]82-wareham to take [him]173-robert over to [Grange Heath]83-grange heath . The snow had hardened upon the ground , and the day was clear and frosty , every object in the landscape standing in sharp outline against the cold blue sky . The horses ' hoofs clattered upon [the ice - bound road]2347-the ice - bound road , the iron shoes striking on the ground that was almost as iron as themselves . The wintry day bore some resemblance to [the man to whom [Robert]173-robert was going]2348-the man to whom robert was going . Like [him]173-robert , it was sharp , frigid , and uncompromising : like [him]173-robert , it was merciless to distress and impregnable to the softening power of sunshine . It would accept no sunshine but such January radiance as would light up [the bleak , bare country]2349-the bleak , bare country without brightening it ; and thus resembled [Harcourt Talboys]239-mr. talboys , who took the sternest side of every truth , and declared loudly to the disbelieving world that there never had been , and never could be , any other side . [Robert Audley]173-robert 's heart sunk within [him]173-robert as [the shabby hired vehicle]2350-the shabby hired vehicle stopped at a stern - looking barred fence , and [the driver]2351-the driver dismounted to open a broad iron gate which swung back with a clanking noise and was caught by a great iron tooth , planted in the ground , which snapped at the lowest bar of the gate as if it wanted to bite . This iron gate opened into a scanty plantation of straight - limbed fir - trees , that grew in rows and shook their sturdy winter foliage defiantly in the very teeth of the frosty breeze . [A straight graveled carriage - drive]2352-a straight graveled carriage - drive ran between these straight trees across [a smoothly kept lawn]2353-a smoothly kept lawn to [a square red - brick mansion]2354-a square red - brick mansion , every window of which winked and glittered in the January sunlight as if it had been that moment cleaned by [some indefatigable housemaid]2355-some indefatigable housemaid . [I]0-i do n't know whether [Junius Brutus]253-junius brutus was a nuisance in [[his]253-junius brutus own house]2356-his own house , but among other of [his]253-junius brutus Roman virtues , [Mr. Talboys]239-mr. talboys owned an extreme aversion to disorder , and was the terror of every domestic in [[his]239-mr. talboys establishment]2357-his establishment . The windows winked and the flight of stone steps glared in the sunlight , [the prim garden walks]2358-the prim garden walks were so freshly graveled that they gave a sandy , gingery aspect to [the place]385-the place , reminding [one]5487-one unpleasantly of red hair . [The lawn]5405-the lawn was chiefly ornamented with dark , wintry shrubs of a funereal aspect which grew in beds that looked like problems in algebra ; and the flight of stone steps leading to the square half - glass door of [the hall]804-the hall was adorned with dark - green wooden tubs containing the same sturdy evergreens . " If [the man]634-the man is anything like [[his]634-the man house]447-his house , "[173-robert] [Robert]173-robert thought , " [I]173-robert do n't wonder that poor [George]181-george talboys and [he]634-the man parted . "[173-robert] At the end of [a scanty avenue]2363-a scanty avenue [the carriage - drive]2364-the carriage - drive turned a sharp corner ( it would have been made to describe a curve in [[any other man]2365-any other man 's grounds]2366-any other man 's grounds ) and ran before the lower windows of [the house]388-the house . [The flyman]2299-the flyman dismounted at the steps , ascended them , and rang a brass - handled bell , which flew back to its socket , with an angry , metallic snap , as if it had been insulted by the plebeian touch of [the man]634-the man 's hand . [A man in black trousers and a striped linen jacket , which was evidently fresh from the hands of the laundress]2370-a man in black trousers and a striped linen jacket , which was evidently fresh from the hands of the laundress , opened the door . [Mr. Talboys]239-mr. talboys was at [home]479-home . Would [the gentleman]4994-the gentleman send in [his]4994-the gentleman card ? [Robert]173-robert waited in [the hall]804-the hall while [his]173-robert card was taken to [the master of [the house]388-the house]2374-the master of the house . [The hall]804-the hall was large and lofty , paved with stone . The panels of the oaken wainscot shone with the same uncompromising polish which was on every object within and without [the red - bricked mansion]2377-the red - bricked mansion . [Some people]4635-some people are so weak - minded as to affect pictures and statues . [Mr. Harcourt Talboys]239-mr. talboys was far too practical to indulge in any foolish fancies . A barometer and an umbrella - stand were the only adornments of [[his]239-mr. talboys entrance - hall]2379-his entrance - hall . [Robert Audley]173-robert looked at these while [his]173-robert name was being submitted to [[George]181-george talboys 's father]6230-george 's father . [The linen - jacketed servant]2381-the linen - jacketed servant returned presently . [He]2381-the linen - jacketed servant was [a square , pale - faced man of almost forty , and had the appearance of having outlived every emotion to which humanity]2382-a square , pale - faced man of almost forty , and had the appearance of having outlived every emotion to which humanity is subject . " If [you]173-robert will step this way , [sir]900-sir , "[2381-the linen - jacketed servant] [he]2381-the linen - jacketed servant said , " [Mr. Talboys]239-mr. talboys will see [you]173-robert , although [he]239-mr. talboys is at breakfast . [He]239-mr. talboys begged [me]2381-the linen - jacketed servant to state that [everybody in [Dorsetshire]76-dorsetshire]6263-everybody in dorsetshire was acquainted with [his]239-mr. talboys breakfast hour . "[2381-the linen - jacketed servant] This was intended as a stately reproof to [Mr. Robert Audley]173-robert . It had , however , very small effect upon [the young barrister]5094-the young barrister . [He]2381-the linen - jacketed servant merely lifted [his]2381-the linen - jacketed servant eyebrows in placid deprecation of [himself]2381-the linen - jacketed servant and [everybody else]1033-everybody else . " [I]2381-the linen - jacketed servant do n't belong to [Dorsetshire]76-dorsetshire , "[2381-the linen - jacketed servant] [he]2381-the linen - jacketed servant said . " [Mr. Talboys]239-mr. talboys might have known that , if [he]239-mr. talboys 'd done [me]2381-the linen - jacketed servant the honor to exercise [his]239-mr. talboys powers of ratiocination . Drive on , [[my]2381-the linen - jacketed servant friend]836-my friend . "[2381-the linen - jacketed servant] [The emotionless man]2385-the emotionless man looked at [Robert Audley]173-robert with a vacant stare of unmitigated horror , and opening one of the heavy oak doors , led the way into [a large dining - room furnished with the severe simplicity of [an apartment which is meant to be ate in]2387-an apartment which is meant to be ate in , but never lived in]2386-a large dining - room furnished with the severe simplicity of an apartment which is meant to be ate in , but never lived in ; and at top of a table which would have accommodated [eighteen persons [Robert]173-robert]2388-eighteen persons robert beheld [Mr. Harcourt Talboys]239-mr. talboys . [Mr. Talboys]239-mr. talboys was robed in a dressing - gown of gray cloth , fastened about [his]239-mr. talboys waist with a girdle . It was a severe looking garment , and was perhaps the nearest approach to the toga to be obtained within the range of modern costume . [He]239-mr. talboys wore a buff waistcoat , a stiffly starched cambric cravat , and a faultless shirt collar . The cold gray of [his]239-mr. talboys dressing gown was almost the same as the cold gray of [his]239-mr. talboys eyes , and the pale buff of [his]239-mr. talboys waistcoat was the pale buff of [his]239-mr. talboys complexion . [Robert Audley]173-robert had not expected to find [Harcourt Talboys]239-mr. talboys at all like [George]181-george talboys in [his]239-mr. talboys manners or disposition , but [he]173-robert had expected to see some family likeness between [the father]2066-the father and [the son]2390-the son . There was none . It would have been impossible to imagine any one more unlike [George]181-george talboys than [the author of [his]239-mr. talboys existence]2391-the author of his existence . [Robert]173-robert scarcely wondered at the cruel letter [he]173-robert received from [Mr. Talboys]239-mr. talboys when [he]173-robert saw [the writer of it]2392-the writer of it . [Such a man]2393-such a man could scarcely have written otherwise . There was [a second person in [the large room]2395-the large room]2394-a second person in the large room , toward whom [Robert]173-robert glanced after saluting [Harcourt Talboys]239-mr. talboys , doubtful how to proceed . [This second person]2396-this second person was [a lady]1799-a lady , who sat at the last of a range of four windows , employed with some needlework , the kind which is generally called plain work , and with a large wicker basket , filled with calicoes and flannels , standing by [her]1799-a lady . The whole length of [the room]595-the room divided [this lady]2399-this lady from [Robert]173-robert , but [he]173-robert could see that [she]2399-this lady was young , and that [she]2399-this lady was like [George Talboys]181-george talboys . " [[His]173-robert sister]6265-his sister ! "[173-robert] [he]173-robert thought in that one moment , during which [he]173-robert ventured to glance away from [the master of [the house]388-the house]2374-the master of the house toward [the female figure at the window]2402-the female figure at the window . " [[His]173-robert sister]6265-his sister , no doubt . [He]173-robert was fond of [her]6265-his sister , [I]673-the lady know . Surely , [she]6265-his sister is not utterly indifferent as to [his]173-robert fate ? "[673-the lady] [The lady]673-the lady half rose from [her]673-the lady seat , letting [her]673-the lady work , which was large and awkward , fall from [her]673-the lady lap as [she]673-the lady did so , and dropping a reel of cotton , which rolled away upon the polished oaken flooring beyond the margin of the Turkey carpet . " Sit down , [Clara]256-clara talboys , "[239-mr. talboys] said the hard voice of [Mr. Talboys]239-mr. talboys . [That gentleman]4886-that gentleman did not appear to address [[his]4886-that gentleman daughter]556-his daughter , nor had [his]4886-that gentleman face been turned toward [her]556-his daughter when [she]556-his daughter rose . It seemed as if [he]4886-that gentleman had known it by some social magnetism peculiar to [himself]4886-that gentleman ; it seemed , as [[his]4886-that gentleman servants]2406-his servants were apt disrespectfully to observe , as if [he]4886-that gentleman had eyes in the back of [his]4886-that gentleman head . " Sit down , [Clara]256-clara talboys , "[4886-that gentleman] [he]4886-that gentleman repeated , " and keep [your]256-clara talboys cotton in [[your]256-clara talboys workbox]6267-your workbox . "[4886-that gentleman] [The lady]673-the lady blushed at this reproof , and stooped to look for the cotton . [Mr. Robert Audley]173-robert , who was unabashed by the stern presence of [the master of [the house]388-the house]2374-the master of the house , knelt on the carpet , found the reel , and restored it to [its owner]2410-its owner ; [Harcourt Talboys]239-mr. talboys staring at the proceeding with an expression of unmitigated astonishment . " Perhaps , [Mr.]6268-mr. — — , [Mr. Robert Audley]173-robert ! "[4886-that gentleman] [he]4886-that gentleman said , looking at the card which [he]4886-that gentleman held between [his]4886-that gentleman finger and thumb , " perhaps when [you]256-clara talboys have finished looking for reels of cotton , [you]256-clara talboys will be good enough to tell [me]4886-that gentleman to what [I]4886-that gentleman owe the honor of this visit ? "[4886-that gentleman] [He]4886-that gentleman waved [his]4886-that gentleman well - shaped hand with a gesture which might have been admired in the stately [John Kemble]257-john kemble ; and [the servant , understanding the gesture]2411-the servant , understanding the gesture , brought forward a ponderous red - morocco chair . The proceeding was so slow and solemn , that [Robert]173-robert had at first thought that something extraordinary was about to be done ; but the truth dawned upon [him]173-robert at last , and [he]173-robert dropped into the massive chair . " [You]256-clara talboys may remain , [Wilson]258-wilson , "[239-mr. talboys] said [Mr. Talboys]239-mr. talboys , as [the servant]1203-the servant was about to withdraw ; " [Mr. Audley]173-robert would perhaps like coffee . "[239-mr. talboys] [Robert]173-robert had eaten nothing that morning , but [he]173-robert glanced at the long expanse of dreary table - cloth , the silver tea and coffee equipage , the stiff splendor , and the very little appearance of any substantial entertainment , and [he]173-robert declined [Mr. Talboys]239-mr. talboys ' invitation . " [Mr. Audley]173-robert will not take coffee , [Wilson]258-wilson , "[2374-the master of the house] said [the master of [the house]388-the house]2374-the master of the house . " [You]258-wilson may go . "[2374-the master of the house] [The man]634-the man bowed and retired , opening and shutting the door as cautiously as if [he]634-the man were taking a liberty in doing it at all , or as if the respect due to [Mr. Talboys]239-mr. talboys demanded [his]634-the man walking straight through the oaken panel like a ghost in a German story . [Mr. Harcourt Talboys]239-mr. talboys sat with [his]239-mr. talboys gray eyes fixed severely on [[his]239-mr. talboys visitor]1368-his visitor , [his]239-mr. talboys elbows on the red - morocco arms of [his]239-mr. talboys chair , and [his]239-mr. talboys finger - tips joined . It was the attitude in which , had [he]239-mr. talboys been [Junius Brutus]253-junius brutus , [he]239-mr. talboys would have sat at the trial of [[his]239-mr. talboys son]4957-his son . Had [Robert Audley]173-robert been easily to be embarrassed , [Mr. Talboys]239-mr. talboys might have succeeded in making [him]173-robert feel so : as [he]239-mr. talboys would have sat with perfect tranquility upon an open gunpowder barrel lighting [his]239-mr. talboys cigar , [he]239-mr. talboys was not at all disturbed upon this occasion . [The father]2066-the father 's dignity seemed a very small thing to [him]239-mr. talboys when [he]239-mr. talboys thought of the possible causes of [the son]2390-the son 's disappearance . " [I]239-mr. talboys wrote to [you]239-mr. talboys some time since , [Mr. Talboys]239-mr. talboys , "[239-mr. talboys] [he]239-mr. talboys said quietly , when [he]239-mr. talboys saw that [he]239-mr. talboys was expected to open the conversation . [Harcourt Talboys]239-mr. talboys bowed . [He]239-mr. talboys knew that it was of [[his]239-mr. talboys lost son]2420-his lost son that [Robert]173-robert came to speak . [Heaven]201-heaven grant that [his]239-mr. talboys icy stoicism was the paltry affectation of [a vain man]2421-a vain man , rather than the utter heartlessness which [Robert]173-robert thought it . [He]173-robert bowed across [his]173-robert finger - tips at [[his]173-robert visitor]1368-his visitor . The trial had begun , and [Junius Brutus]253-junius brutus was enjoying [himself]253-junius brutus . " [I]173-robert received [your]173-robert communication , [Mr. Audley]173-robert , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said . " It is among other business letters : it was duly answered . "[173-robert] " That letter concerned [[your]173-robert son]6269-your son . "[173-robert] There was a little rustling noise at the window where [the lady]673-the lady sat , as [Robert]173-robert said this : [he]173-robert looked at [her]673-the lady almost instantaneously , but [she]673-the lady did not seem to have stirred . [She]673-the lady was not working , but [she]673-the lady was perfectly quiet . " [She]673-the lady 's as heartless as [[her]673-the lady father]481-her father , [I]173-robert expect , though [she]673-the lady is like [George]181-george talboys , "[173-robert] thought [Mr. Audley]173-robert . " If [your]173-robert letter concerned [the person who was once [[my]239-mr. talboys son]6234-my son]6271-the person who was once my son , perhaps , [sir]900-sir , "[239-mr. talboys] said [Harcourt Talboys]239-mr. talboys , " [I]239-mr. talboys must ask [you]900-sir to remember that [I]239-mr. talboys have no longer [a son]708-a son . "[239-mr. talboys] " [You]239-mr. talboys have no reason to remind [me]173-robert of that , [Mr. Talboys]239-mr. talboys , "[173-robert] answered [Robert]173-robert , gravely ; " [I]173-robert remember it only too well . [I]173-robert have fatal reason to believe that [you]239-mr. talboys have no longer [a son]708-a son . [I]173-robert have bitter cause to think that [he]708-a son is dead . "[173-robert] It may be that [Mr. Talboys]239-mr. talboys ' complexion faded to a paler shade of buff as [Robert]173-robert said this ; but [he]173-robert only elevated [his]173-robert bristling gray eyebrows and shook [his]173-robert head gently . " No , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said , " no , [I]173-robert assure [you]239-mr. talboys , no . "[173-robert] " [I]2424-the girl who had been addressed as clara believe that [George Talboys]181-george talboys died in the month of September . "[2424-the girl who had been addressed as clara] [The girl who had been addressed as [Clara]256-clara talboys]2424-the girl who had been addressed as clara , sat with work primly folded upon [her]2424-the girl who had been addressed as clara lap , and [her]2424-the girl who had been addressed as clara hands lying clasped together on [her]2424-the girl who had been addressed as clara work , and never stirred when [Robert]173-robert spoke of [[his]173-robert friend]4909-his friend 's death . [He]173-robert could not distinctly see [her]2424-the girl who had been addressed as clara face , for [she]2424-the girl who had been addressed as clara was seated at some distance from [him]173-robert , and with [her]2424-the girl who had been addressed as clara back to the window . " No , no , [I]239-mr. talboys assure [you]239-mr. talboys , "[239-mr. talboys] repeated [Mr. Talboys]239-mr. talboys , " [you]239-mr. talboys labor under a sad mistake . "[239-mr. talboys] " [You]173-robert believe that [I]173-robert am mistaken in thinking [[your]173-robert son]6269-your son dead ? "[173-robert] asked [Robert]173-robert . " Most certainly , "[239-mr. talboys] replied [Mr. Talboys]239-mr. talboys , with a smile , expressive of the serenity of wisdom . " Most certainly , [[my]239-mr. talboys dear [sir]900-sir]929-my dear sir . The disappearance was a very clever trick , no doubt , but it was not sufficiently clever to deceive [me]239-mr. talboys . [You]900-sir must permit [me]239-mr. talboys to understand this matter a little better than [you]900-sir , [Mr. Audley]173-robert , and [you]900-sir must also permit [me]239-mr. talboys to assure [you]900-sir of three things . In the first place , [[your]900-sir friend]5065-your friend is not dead . In the second place , [he]5065-your friend is keeping out of the way for the purpose of alarming [me]239-mr. talboys , of trifling with [my]239-mr. talboys feelings as a — as [a man who was once [[his]5065-your friend father]709-his father , and of ultimately obtaining [my]239-mr. talboys forgiveness]6280-a man who was once his father , and of ultimately obtaining my forgiveness . In the third place , [he]5065-your friend will not obtain that forgiveness , however long [he]5065-your friend may please to keep out of the way ; and [he]5065-your friend would therefore act wisely by returning to [[his]5065-your friend ordinary residence]6282-his ordinary residence and avocations without delay . "[239-mr. talboys] " Then [you]239-mr. talboys imagine [him]5065-your friend to purposely hide [himself]5065-your friend from all who know [him]5065-your friend , for the purpose of — "[239-mr. talboys] " For the purpose of influencing [me]239-mr. talboys , "[239-mr. talboys] exclaimed [Mr. Talboys]239-mr. talboys , who , taking a stand upon [his]239-mr. talboys own vanity , traced every event in life from that one center , and resolutely declined to look at it from any other point of view . " For the purpose of influencing [me]239-mr. talboys . [He]5065-your friend knew the inflexibility of [my]239-mr. talboys character ; to a certain degree [he]5065-your friend was acquainted with [me]239-mr. talboys , and knew that all attempts at softening [my]239-mr. talboys decision , or moving [me]239-mr. talboys from the fixed purpose of [my]239-mr. talboys life , would fail . [He]5065-your friend therefore tried extraordinary means ; [he]5065-your friend has kept out of the way in order to alarm [me]239-mr. talboys , and when after due time [he]5065-your friend discovers that [he]5065-your friend has not alarmed [me]239-mr. talboys , [he]5065-your friend will return to [[his]5065-your friend old haunts]6283-his old haunts . When [he]5065-your friend does so , "[239-mr. talboys] said [Mr. Talboys]239-mr. talboys , rising to sublimity , " [I]239-mr. talboys will forgive [him]5065-your friend . Yes , [sir]900-sir , [I]239-mr. talboys will forgive [him]5065-your friend . [I]239-mr. talboys shall say to [him]5065-your friend : [You]900-sir have attempted to deceive [me]239-mr. talboys , and [I]239-mr. talboys have shown [you]900-sir that [I]239-mr. talboys am not to be deceived ; [you]900-sir have tried to frighten [me]239-mr. talboys , and [I]239-mr. talboys have convinced [you]900-sir that [I]239-mr. talboys am not to be frightened ; [you]900-sir did not believe in [my]239-mr. talboys generosity , [I]239-mr. talboys will show [you]900-sir that [I]239-mr. talboys can be generous . "[239-mr. talboys] [Harcourt Talboys]239-mr. talboys delivered [himself]239-mr. talboys of these superb periods with a studied manner , that showed they had been carefully composed long ago . [Robert Audley]173-robert sighed as [he]173-robert heard them . " Heaven grant that [you]173-robert may have an opportunity of saying this to [[your]173-robert son]6269-your son , [sir]900-sir , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert answered sadly . " [I]173-robert am very glad to find that [you]173-robert are willing to forgive [him]6269-your son , but [I]173-robert fear that [you]173-robert will never see [him]6269-your son again upon [this earth]1644-this earth . [I]173-robert have a great deal to say to [you]173-robert upon this — this sad subject , [Mr. Talboys]239-mr. talboys ; but [I]173-robert would rather say it to [you]173-robert alone , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert added , glancing at [the lady in the window]2426-the lady in the window . " [[My]239-mr. talboys daughter]6288-my daughter knows [my]239-mr. talboys ideas upon this subject , [Mr. Audley]173-robert , "[239-mr. talboys] said [Harcourt Talboys]239-mr. talboys ; " there is no reason why [she]6288-my daughter should not hear all [you]173-robert have to say . [Miss Clara Talboys]256-clara talboys , [Mr. Robert Audley]173-robert , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert added , waving [his]173-robert hand majestically . [The young lady]5100-the young lady bent [her]5100-the young lady head in recognition of [Robert]173-robert 's bow . " Let [her]5100-the young lady hear it , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert thought . " If [she]5100-the young lady has so little feeling as to show no emotion upon such a subject , let [her]5100-the young lady hear the worst [I]5100-the young lady have to tell . "[5100-the young lady] There was a few minutes ' pause , during which [Robert]173-robert took some papers from [his]173-robert pocket ; among them the document which [he]173-robert had written immediately after [George]181-george talboys 's disappearance . " [I]173-robert shall require all [your]173-robert attention , [Mr. Talboys]239-mr. talboys , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said , " for that which [I]173-robert have to disclose to [you]173-robert is of a very painful nature . [[Your]173-robert son]6269-your son was [[my]173-robert very dear friend]6290-my very dear friend — dear to [me]173-robert for many reasons . Perhaps most of all dear , because [I]173-robert had known [him]6269-your son and been with [him]6269-your son through the great trouble of [his]6269-your son life ; and because [he]6269-your son stood comparatively alone in [the world]519-the world — cast off by [[you]173-robert who should have been [[his]6269-your son best friend]6293-his best friend , bereft of [the only woman [he]6269-your son had ever loved]6294-the only woman he had ever loved]6292-you who should have been his best friend , bereft of the only woman he had ever loved . "[173-robert] " [The daughter of [a drunken pauper]6236-a drunken pauper]6235-the daughter of a drunken pauper , "[239-mr. talboys] [Mr. Talboys]239-mr. talboys remarked , parenthetically . " Had [he]6269-your son died in [his]6269-your son bed , as [I]173-robert sometimes thought [he]6269-your son would , "[173-robert] continued [Robert Audley]173-robert , " of a broken heart , [I]173-robert should have mourned for [him]6269-your son very sincerely , even though [I]173-robert had closed [his]6269-your son eyes with [my]173-robert own hands , and had seen [him]6269-your son laid in [his]6269-your son quiet resting - place . [I]173-robert should have grieved for [[my]173-robert old schoolfellow]6297-my old schoolfellow , and for [the companion who had been dear to [me]173-robert]6298-the companion who had been dear to me . But this grief would have been a very small one compared to that which [I]173-robert feel now , believing , as [I]173-robert do only too firmly , that [[my]173-robert poor friend]6106-my poor friend has been murdered . "[173-robert] " Murdered ! "[2066-the father] [The father]2066-the father and [daughter]1473-daughter simultaneously repeated the horrible word . [The father]2066-the father 's face changed to a ghastly duskiness of hue ; [the daughter]2431-the daughter 's face dropped upon [her]2431-the daughter clasped hands , and was never lifted again throughout the interview . " [Mr. Audley]173-robert , [you]173-robert are mad ! "[239-mr. talboys] exclaimed [Harcourt Talboys]239-mr. talboys ; " [you]173-robert are mad , or else [you]173-robert are commissioned by [[your]173-robert friend]5065-your friend to play upon [my]239-mr. talboys feelings . [I]239-mr. talboys protest against this proceeding as a conspiracy , and [I]239-mr. talboys — [I]239-mr. talboys revoke [my]239-mr. talboys intended forgiveness of [the person who was once [[my]239-mr. talboys son]6234-my son]6271-the person who was once my son ! "[239-mr. talboys] [He]2066-the father was [himself]2066-the father again as [he]2066-the father said this . The blow had been a sharp one , but its effect had been momentary . " It is far from [my]173-robert wish to alarm [you]173-robert unnecessarily , [sir]900-sir , "[173-robert] answered [Robert]173-robert . " Heaven grant that [you]173-robert may be right and [I]173-robert wrong . [I]173-robert pray for it , but [I]173-robert can not think it — [I]173-robert can not even hope it . [I]173-robert come to [you]173-robert for advice . [I]173-robert will state to [you]173-robert plainly and dispassionately the circumstances which have aroused [my]173-robert suspicions . If [you]173-robert say those suspicions are foolish and unfounded [I]173-robert am ready to submit to [your]173-robert better judgment . [I]173-robert will leave [England]7-england ; and [I]173-robert abandon [my]173-robert search for the evidence wanting to — to confirm [my]173-robert fears . If [you]173-robert say go on , [I]173-robert will go on . "[173-robert] Nothing could be more gratifying to the vanity of [Mr. Harcourt Talboys]239-mr. talboys than this appeal . [He]239-mr. talboys declared [himself]239-mr. talboys ready to listen to all that [Robert]173-robert might have to say , and ready to assist [him]173-robert to the uttermost of [his]173-robert power . [He]239-mr. talboys laid some stress upon this last assurance , deprecating the value of [his]239-mr. talboys advice with an affectation that was as transparent as [his]239-mr. talboys vanity itself . [Robert Audley]173-robert drew [his]173-robert chair nearer to that of [Mr. Talboys]239-mr. talboys , and commenced a minutely detailed account of all that had occurred to [George]181-george talboys from the time of [his]173-robert arrival in [England]7-england to the hour of [his]173-robert disappearance , as well as all that had occurred since [his]173-robert disappearance in any way touching upon that particular subject . [Harcourt Talboys]239-mr. talboys listened with demonstrative attention , now and then interrupting [the speaker]4906-the speaker to ask some magisterial kind of question . [Clara Talboys]256-clara talboys never once lifted [her]256-clara talboys face from [her]256-clara talboys clasped hands . The hands of the clock pointed to a quarter past eleven when [Robert]173-robert began [his]173-robert story . The clock struck twelve as [he]173-robert finished . [He]173-robert had carefully suppressed the names of [[his]173-robert uncle]4872-his uncle and [[[his]173-robert uncle]4872-his uncle 's wife]1391-his uncle 's wife in relating the circumstances in which [they]2436-they had been concerned . " Now , [sir]900-sir , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said , when the story had been told , " [I]173-robert await [your]900-sir decision . [You]900-sir have heard [my]173-robert reasons for coming to this terrible conclusion . In what manner do these reasons influence [you]900-sir ? "[173-robert] " They do n't in any way turn [me]239-mr. talboys from [my]239-mr. talboys previous opinion , "[239-mr. talboys] answered [Mr. Harcourt Talboys]239-mr. talboys , with the unreasoning pride of [an obstinate man]2437-an obstinate man . " [I]239-mr. talboys still think , as [I]239-mr. talboys thought before , that [[my]239-mr. talboys son]6234-my son is alive , and that [his]6234-my son disappearance is a conspiracy against [myself]239-mr. talboys . [I]239-mr. talboys decline to become [the victim of that conspiracy]6306-the victim of that conspiracy . "[239-mr. talboys] " And [you]900-sir tell [me]173-robert to stop ? "[173-robert] asked [Robert]173-robert , solemnly . " [I]173-robert tell [you]900-sir only this : If [you]900-sir go on , [you]900-sir go on for [your]900-sir own satisfaction , not for [mine]173-robert . [I]173-robert see nothing in what [you]900-sir have told [me]173-robert to alarm [me]173-robert for the safety of — [[your]900-sir friend]5065-your friend . "[173-robert] " So be it , then ! "[173-robert] exclaimed [Robert]173-robert , suddenly ; " from this moment [I]173-robert wash [my]173-robert hands of this business . From this moment the purpose of [my]173-robert life shall be to forget it . "[173-robert] [He]173-robert rose as [he]173-robert spoke , and took [his]173-robert hat from the table on which [he]173-robert had placed it . [He]173-robert looked at [Clara Talboys]256-clara talboys . [Her]256-clara talboys attitude had never changed since [she]256-clara talboys had dropped [her]256-clara talboys face upon [her]256-clara talboys hands . " Good morning , [Mr. Talboys]239-mr. talboys , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said , gravely . " [God]164-god grant that [you]239-mr. talboys are right . [God]164-god grant that [I]173-robert am wrong . But [I]173-robert fear a day will come when [you]239-mr. talboys will have reason to regret [your]239-mr. talboys apathy respecting the untimely fate of [[your]239-mr. talboys only son]6308-your only son . "[173-robert] [He]173-robert bowed gravely to [Mr. Harcourt Talboys]239-mr. talboys and to [the lady]673-the lady , whose face was hidden by [her]673-the lady hands . [He]173-robert lingered for a moment looking at [Miss Talboys]256-clara talboys , thinking that [she]256-clara talboys would look up , that [she]256-clara talboys would make some sign , or show some desire to detain [him]173-robert . [Mr. Talboys]239-mr. talboys rang for [the emotionless servant]2439-the emotionless servant , who led [Robert]173-robert off to [the hall]804-the hall - door with the solemnity of manner which would have been in perfect keeping had [he]2439-the emotionless servant been leading [him]173-robert to execution . " [She]673-the lady is like [[her]673-the lady father]481-her father , "[173-robert] thought [Mr. Audley]173-robert , as [he]173-robert glanced for the last time at the drooping head . " [Poor George]259-george , [you]259-george had need of [one friend in [this world]2310-this world]6310-one friend in this world , for [you]259-george have had very few to love [you]259-george . "[173-robert] [Robert Audley]173-robert found [the driver]2351-the driver asleep upon the box of [[his]173-robert lumbering vehicle]2442-his lumbering vehicle . [He]173-robert had been entertained with beer of so hard a nature as to induce temporary strangulation in the daring imbiber thereof , and [he]173-robert was very glad to welcome the return of [his]173-robert fare . The old white horse , who looked as if [he]173-robert had been foaled in the year in which [the carriage]5171-the carriage had been built , and seemed , like [the carriage]5171-the carriage , to have outlived the fashion , was as fast asleep as [[his]173-robert master]2445-his master , and woke up with a jerk as [Robert]173-robert came down the stony flight of steps , attended by [[his]173-robert executioner]2446-his executioner , who waited respectfully till [Mr. Audley]173-robert had entered [the vehicle]1673-the vehicle and been turned off . [The horse , roused by a smack of]2448-the horse , roused by a smack of [his]173-robert driver 's whip and a shake of the shabby reins , crawled off in a semi - somnambulent state ; and [Robert]173-robert , with [his]173-robert hat very much over [his]173-robert eyes , thought of [[his]173-robert missing friend]1256-his missing friend . [He]173-robert had played in [these stiff gardens]2450-these stiff gardens , and under these dreary firs , years ago , perhaps — if it were possible for [the most frolicsome youth]2451-the most frolicsome youth to be playful within the range of [Mr. Harcourt Talboys]239-mr. talboys ' hard gray eyes . [He]173-robert had played beneath these dark trees , perhaps , with [the sister who had heard of [his]173-robert fate to - day without a tear]2452-the sister who had heard of his fate to - day without a tear . [Robert Audley]173-robert looked at the rigid primness of [the orderly grounds]2453-the orderly grounds , wondering how [George]259-george could have grown up in such a place to be [the frank , generous , careless friend whom [he]259-george had known]2454-the frank , generous , careless friend whom he had known . How was it that with [[his]173-robert father]709-his father perpetually before [his]173-robert eyes , [he]173-robert had not grown up after [the father]2066-the father 's disagreeable model , to be a nuisance to [[his]173-robert fellow - men]2457-his fellow - men ? How was it ? Because [we]2458-we have [Some One higher than [[our]2458-we parents]2460-our parents]2459-some one higher than our parents to thank for the souls which make [us]2458-we great or small ; and because , while [family noses]2461-family noses and family chins may descend in orderly sequence from [father]2462-father to [son]2463-son , from [grandsire]2464-grandsire to [grandchild]2465-grandchild , as the fashion of the fading flowers of one year is reproduced in the budding blossoms of the next , the spirit , more subtle than the wind which blows among those flowers , independent of all earthly rule , owns no order but the harmonious law of [God]164-god . " Thank [God]164-god ! "[173-robert] thought [Robert Audley]173-robert ; " thank [God]164-god ! it is over . [[My]173-robert poor friend]6106-my poor friend must rest in [[his]6106-my poor friend unknown grave]6313-his unknown grave ; and [I]173-robert shall not be the means of bringing disgrace upon those [I]173-robert love . It will come , perhaps , sooner or later , but it will not come through [me]173-robert . The crisis is past , and [I]173-robert am free . "[173-robert] [He]173-robert felt an unutterable relief in this thought . [His]173-robert generous nature revolted at [the office into which [he]173-robert had found [himself]173-robert drawn]2466-the office into which he had found himself drawn — [the office of [spy]2468-spy]2467-the office of spy , [the collector of damning facts that led on to horrible deductions]2469-the collector of damning facts that led on to horrible deductions . [He]173-robert drew a long breath — a sigh of relief at [his]173-robert release . It was all over now . The fly was crawling out of the gate of [the plantation]2470-the plantation as [he]173-robert thought this , and [he]173-robert stood up in [the vehicle]1673-the vehicle to look back at the dreary fir - trees , [the gravel paths]2472-the gravel paths , the smooth grass , and [the great desolate - looking , red - brick mansion]2473-the great desolate - looking , red - brick mansion . [He]173-robert was startled by the appearance of [a woman running , almost flying]2474-a woman running , almost flying , along [the carriage - drive by which [he]173-robert had come]2475-the carriage - drive by which he had come , and waving a handkerchief in [her]2474-a woman running , almost flying uplifted hand . [He]173-robert stared at [this singular apparition]2476-this singular apparition for some moments in silent wonder before [he]173-robert was able to reduce [his]173-robert stupefaction into words . " Is it [me]173-robert [the flying female]6314-the flying female wants ? "[173-robert] [he]173-robert exclaimed , at last . " [You]2299-the flyman 'd better stop , perhaps , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert added , to [the flyman]2299-the flyman . " It is an age of eccentricity , an abnormal era of [the world]519-the world 's history . [She]6314-the flying female may want [me]173-robert . Very likely [I]173-robert left [my]173-robert pocket - handkerchief behind [me]173-robert , and [Mr. Talboys]239-mr. talboys has sent [this person]5546-this person with it . Perhaps [I]173-robert 'd better get out and go and meet [her]6314-the flying female . It 's civil to send [my]173-robert handkerchief . "[173-robert] [Mr. Robert Audley]173-robert deliberately descended from the fly and walked slowly toward the hurrying female figure , which gained upon [him]173-robert rapidly . [He]173-robert was rather short sighted , and it was not until [she]2478-she came very near to [him]173-robert that [he]173-robert saw who [she]2478-she was . " [Good Heaven]201-heaven ! "[173-robert] [he]173-robert exclaimed , " it 's [Miss Talboys]256-clara talboys . "[173-robert] [It]2478-she was [Miss Talboys]256-clara talboys , flushed and breathless , with a woolen shawl thrown over [her]256-clara talboys head . [Robert Audley]173-robert now saw [her]256-clara talboys face clearly for the first time , and [he]173-robert saw that [she]256-clara talboys was very handsome . [She]256-clara talboys had brown eyes , like [George]259-george 's , a pale complexion ( [she]256-clara talboys had been flushed when [she]256-clara talboys approached [him]173-robert , but the color faded away as [she]256-clara talboys recovered [her]256-clara talboys breath ) , regular features , with a mobility of expression which bore record of every change of feeling . [He]173-robert saw all this in a few moments , and [he]173-robert wondered only the more at the stoicism of [her]256-clara talboys manner during [his]173-robert interview with [Mr. Talboys]239-mr. talboys . There were no tears in [her]256-clara talboys eyes , but they were bright with a feverish luster — terribly bright and dry — and [he]173-robert could see that [her]256-clara talboys lips trembled as [she]256-clara talboys spoke to [him]173-robert . " [Miss Talboys]256-clara talboys , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said , " what can [I]173-robert — why — "[173-robert] [She]256-clara talboys interrupted [him]173-robert suddenly , catching at [his]173-robert wrist with [her]256-clara talboys disengaged hand — [she]256-clara talboys was holding [her]256-clara talboys shawl in the other . " Oh , let [me]256-clara talboys speak to [you]173-robert , "[256-clara talboys] [she]256-clara talboys cried—"let [me]256-clara talboys speak to [you]173-robert , or [I]256-clara talboys shall go mad . [I]256-clara talboys heard it all . [I]256-clara talboys believe what [you]173-robert believe , and [I]256-clara talboys shall go mad unless [I]256-clara talboys can do something — something toward avenging [his]173-robert death . "[256-clara talboys] For a few moments [Robert Audley]173-robert was too much bewildered to answer [her]256-clara talboys . Of all things possible upon [earth]1036-earth [he]173-robert had least expected to behold [her]256-clara talboys thus . " Take [my]173-robert arm , [Miss Talboys]256-clara talboys , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said . " Pray calm [yourself]256-clara talboys . Let [us]6317-us walk a little way back toward [the house]388-the house , and talk quietly . [I]173-robert would not have spoken as [I]173-robert did before [you]256-clara talboys had [I]173-robert known — "[173-robert] " Had [you]173-robert known that [I]256-clara talboys loved [[my]256-clara talboys brother]6319-my brother ? "[256-clara talboys] [she]256-clara talboys said , quickly . " How should [you]173-robert know that [I]2480-i loved [him]6319-my brother ? How should [any one]5101-any one think that [I]2480-i loved [him]6319-my brother , when [I]2480-i have never had power to give [him]6319-my brother a welcome beneath that roof , or a kindly word from [[his]6319-my brother father]709-his father ? How should [I]2480-i dare to betray [my]2480-i love for [him]6319-my brother in [that house]6322-that house when [I]2480-i knew that even [a sister]6323-a sister 's affection would be turned to [his]6319-my brother disadvantage ? [You]173-robert do not know [[my]2480-i father]4643-my father , [Mr. Audley]173-robert . [I]2480-i do . [I]2480-i knew that to intercede for [George]259-george would have been to ruin [his]6319-my brother cause . [I]2480-i knew that to leave matters in [[my]2480-i father]4643-my father 's hands , and to trust to time , was [my]2480-i only chance of ever seeing [that dear brother]6326-that dear brother again . And [I]2480-i waited — waited patiently , always hoping for the best ; for [I]2480-i knew that [[my]2480-i father]4643-my father loved [[his]4643-my father only son]2318-his only son . [I]2480-i see [your]173-robert contemptuous smile , [Mr. Audley]173-robert , and [I]2480-i dare say it is difficult for [a stranger]1506-a stranger to believe that underneath [his]4643-my father affected stoicism [[my]2480-i father]4643-my father conceals some degree of affection for [[his]4643-my father children]6331-his children — no very warm attachment perhaps , for [he]4643-my father has always ruled [his]4643-my father life by the strict law of duty . Stop , "[2480-i] [she]2480-i said , suddenly , laying [her]2480-i hand upon [his]2481-his arm , and looking back through [the straight avenue of pines]2482-the straight avenue of pines ; " [I]2480-i ran out of [the house]388-the house by the back way . [Papa]188-papa must not see [me]2480-i talking to [you]173-robert , [Mr. Audley]173-robert , and [he]188-papa must not see the fly standing at the gate . Will [you]2480-i go into [the high - road]6333-the high - road and tell [the man]634-the man to drive on a little way ? [I]2480-i will come out of [the plantation]2470-the plantation by a little gate further on , and meet [you]2480-i in [the road]1231-the road . "[2480-i] " But [you]2480-i will catch cold , [Miss Talboys]256-clara talboys , "[173-robert] remonstrated [Robert]173-robert , looking at [her]2480-i anxiously , for [he]173-robert saw that [she]2480-i was trembling . " [You]2480-i are shivering now . "[173-robert] " Not with cold , "[2480-i] [she]2480-i answered . " [I]2480-i am thinking of [[my]2480-i brother]6319-my brother [George]259-george . If [you]2480-i have any pity for [the only sister of [[your]2480-i lost friend]6339-your lost friend]6338-the only sister of your lost friend , do what [I]2480-i ask [you]2480-i , [Mr. Audley]173-robert . [I]2480-i must speak to [you]2480-i — [I]2480-i must speak to [you]2480-i — calmly , if [I]2480-i can . "[2480-i] [She]2480-i put [her]2480-i hand to [her]2480-i head as if trying to collect [her]2480-i thoughts , and then pointed to the gate . [Robert]173-robert bowed and left [her]2480-i . [He]173-robert told [the man]634-the man to drive slowly toward [the station]1271-the station , and walked on by the side of the tarred fence surrounding [[Mr. Talboys]239-mr. talboys ' grounds]2485-mr. talboys ' grounds . About a hundred yards beyond the principal entrance [he]173-robert came to a little wooden gate in the fence , and waited at [it]2486-it for [Miss Talboys]256-clara talboys . [She]256-clara talboys joined [him]173-robert presently , with [her]256-clara talboys shawl still over [her]256-clara talboys head , and [her]256-clara talboys eyes still bright and tearless . " Will [you]173-robert walk with [me]256-clara talboys inside [the plantation]2470-the plantation ? "[256-clara talboys] [she]256-clara talboys said . " [We]6341-we might be observed on [the high - road]6333-the high - road . "[256-clara talboys] [He]173-robert bowed , passed through the gate , and shut it behind [him]173-robert . When [she]256-clara talboys took [his]173-robert offered arm [he]173-robert found that [she]256-clara talboys was still trembling — trembling very violently . " Pray , pray calm [yourself]256-clara talboys , [Miss Talboys]256-clara talboys , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said ; " [I]173-robert may have been deceived in the opinion which [I]173-robert have formed ; [I]173-robert may — "[173-robert] " No , no , no , "[256-clara talboys] [she]256-clara talboys exclaimed , " [you]173-robert are not deceived . [[My]256-clara talboys brother]6319-my brother has been murdered . Tell [me]256-clara talboys the name of [that woman]6093-that woman — [the woman whom [you]256-clara talboys suspect of being concerned in [his]6319-my brother disappearance — in [his]6319-my brother murder]6345-the woman whom you suspect of being concerned in his disappearance — in his murder . "[256-clara talboys] " That [I]173-robert can not do until — "[173-robert] " Until when ? "[173-robert] " Until [I]173-robert know that [she]6093-that woman is guilty . "[173-robert] " [You]256-clara talboys told [[my]173-robert father]4643-my father that [you]256-clara talboys would abandon all idea of discovering the truth — that [you]256-clara talboys would rest satisfied to leave [[my]173-robert brother]6319-my brother 's fate a horrible mystery never to be solved upon [this earth]1644-this earth ; but [you]256-clara talboys will not do so , [Mr. Audley]173-robert — [you]256-clara talboys will not be false to the memory of [[your]256-clara talboys friend]5065-your friend . [You]256-clara talboys will see vengeance done upon [those who have destroyed [him]6319-my brother]6350-those who have destroyed him . [You]256-clara talboys will do this , will [you]256-clara talboys not ? "[173-robert] A gloomy shadow spread itself like a dark veil over [Robert Audley]173-robert 's handsome face . [He]173-robert remembered what [he]173-robert had said the day before at [Southampton]33-southampton : " A hand that is stronger than [my]173-robert own is beckoning [me]173-robert onward , upon [the dark road]6127-the dark road . "[173-robert] A quarter of an hour before , [he]173-robert had believed that all was over , and that [he]173-robert was released from the dreadful duty of discovering the secret of [George]259-george 's death . Now [this girl]2487-this girl , [this apparently passionless girl]2488-this apparently passionless girl , had found a voice , and was urging [him]173-robert on toward [his]173-robert fate . " If [you]2487-this girl knew what misery to [me]173-robert may be involved in discovering the truth , [Miss Talboys]256-clara talboys , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said , " [you]2487-this girl would scarcely ask [me]173-robert to pursue this business any farther ? "[173-robert] " But [I]2487-this girl do ask [you]173-robert , "[2487-this girl] [she]2487-this girl answered , with suppressed passion—"I do ask [you]173-robert . [I]173-robert ask [you]173-robert to avenge [[my]173-robert brother]6319-my brother 's untimely death . Will [you]173-robert do so ? Yes or no ? "[173-robert] " What if [I]173-robert answer no ? "[173-robert] " Then [I]2487-this girl will do it [myself]2487-this girl , "[2487-this girl] [she]2487-this girl exclaimed , looking at [him]173-robert with [her]2487-this girl bright brown eyes . " [I]2487-this girl [myself]2487-this girl will follow up the clew to this mystery ; [I]2487-this girl will find [this woman]557-this woman — though [you]173-robert refuse to tell [me]2487-this girl in what part of [England]7-england [[my]2487-this girl brother]6319-my brother disappeared . [I]2487-this girl will travel from [one end of [the world]519-the world]6355-one end of the world to the other to find the secret of [his]6319-my brother fate , if [you]173-robert refuse to find it for [me]2487-this girl . [I]2487-this girl am of age ; [[my]2487-this girl own mistress]6357-my own mistress ; rich , for [I]2487-this girl have money left [me]2487-this girl by [one of [[my]2487-this girl aunts]6359-my aunts]6358-one of my aunts ; [I]2487-this girl shall be able to employ [those who will help [me]2487-this girl in [my]2487-this girl search]6360-those who will help me in my search , and [I]2487-this girl will make it to [their]6360-those who will help me in my search interest to serve [me]2487-this girl well . Choose between the two alternatives , [Mr. Audley]173-robert . Shall [you]2489-he or [I]2487-this girl find [[[my]2487-this girl brother]6319-my brother 's murderer]6362-my brother 's murderer ? "[2487-this girl] [He]2489-he looked in [her]2490-her face , and saw that [her]2490-her resolution was the fruit of [no transient womanish enthusiasm which would give way under the iron hand of difficulty]2491-no transient womanish enthusiasm which would give way under the iron hand of difficulty . [Her]2490-her beautiful features , naturally statuesque in their noble outlines , seemed transformed into marble by the rigidity of [her]2490-her expression . The face in which [he]2489-he looked was the face of [a woman whom death only could turn]2492-a woman whom death only could turn from [her]2492-a woman whom death only could turn purpose . " [I]2490-her have grown up in an atmosphere of suppression , "[2490-her] [she]2490-her said , quietly ; " [I]2493-i have stifled and dwarfed the natural feelings of [my]2493-i heart , until they have become unnatural in their intensity ; [I]2493-i have been allowed neither [friends]1050-friends nor [lovers]6364-lovers . [[My]2493-i mother]4646-my mother died when [I]2493-i was very young . [[My]2493-i father]4643-my father has always been to [me]2493-i what [you]6367-you saw [him]4643-my father to - day . [I]2493-i have had [no one]507-no one but [[my]2493-i brother]6319-my brother . All the love that [my]2493-i heart can hold has been centered upon [him]4643-my father . Do [you]6367-you wonder , then , that when [I]2493-i hear that [his]4643-my father young life has been ended by the hand of treachery , that [I]2493-i wish to see vengeance done upon [the traitor]6370-the traitor ? Oh , [[my]2493-i God]5536-my god , "[2493-i] [she]2493-i cried , suddenly clasping [her]2493-i hands , and looking up at the cold winter sky , " lead [me]2493-i to [the murderer of [[my]2493-i brother]6319-my brother]6372-the murderer of my brother , and let [mine]2493-i be the hand to avenge [his]6319-my brother untimely death . "[2493-i] [Robert Audley]173-robert stood looking at [her]2493-i with awe - stricken admiration . [Her]2493-i beauty was elevated into sublimity by the intensity of [her]2493-i suppressed passion . [She]2493-i was different to [all other women that [he]173-robert had ever seen]2494-all other women that he had ever seen . [[His]173-robert cousin]786-his cousin was pretty , [[[his]173-robert uncle]4872-his uncle 's wife]1391-his uncle 's wife was lovely , but [Clara Talboys]256-clara talboys was beautiful . [Niobe]260-niobe 's face , sublimated by sorrow , could scarcely have been more purely classical than [hers]260-niobe . Even [her]2493-i dress , puritan in its gray simplicity , became [her]2493-i beauty better than a more beautiful dress would have become [a less beautiful woman]2498-a less beautiful woman . " [Miss Talboys]256-clara talboys , "[173-robert] said [Robert]173-robert , after a pause , " [[your]256-clara talboys brother]6374-your brother shall not be unavenged . [He]6374-your brother shall not be forgotten . [I]173-robert do not think that any professional aid which [you]256-clara talboys could procure would lead [you]256-clara talboys as surely to the secret of this mystery as [I]173-robert can lead [you]256-clara talboys , if [you]256-clara talboys are patient and trust [me]173-robert . "[173-robert] " [I]2493-i will trust [you]173-robert , "[2493-i] [she]2493-i answered , " for [I]2493-i see that [you]173-robert will help [me]2493-i . "[2493-i] " [I]173-robert believe that it is [my]173-robert destiny to do so , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said , solemnly . In the whole course of [his]173-robert conversation with [Harcourt Talboys]239-mr. talboys , [Robert Audley]173-robert had carefully avoided making any deductions from the circumstances which [he]173-robert had submitted to [[George]259-george 's father]6230-george 's father . [He]173-robert had simply told the story of [the missing man]2033-the missing man 's life , from the hour of [his]173-robert arriving in [London]3-london to that of [his]173-robert disappearance ; but [he]173-robert saw that [Clara Talboys]256-clara talboys had arrived at the same conclusion as [himself]173-robert , and that it was tacitly understood between [them]2501-them . " Have [you]256-clara talboys any letters of [[your]256-clara talboys brother]6374-your brother 's , [Miss Talboys]256-clara talboys ? "[173-robert] [he]173-robert asked . " Two . One written soon after [his]173-robert marriage , the other written at [Liverpool]6-liverpool , the night before [he]173-robert sailed for [Australia]11-australia . "[173-robert] " Will [you]256-clara talboys let [me]173-robert see [them]6376-them ? "[173-robert] " Yes , [I]256-clara talboys will send [them]6376-them to [you]256-clara talboys if [you]256-clara talboys will give [me]256-clara talboys [your]256-clara talboys address . [You]256-clara talboys will write to [me]256-clara talboys from time to time , will [you]256-clara talboys not , to tell [me]256-clara talboys whether [you]256-clara talboys are approaching the truth . [I]256-clara talboys shall be obliged to act secretly here , but [I]256-clara talboys am going to leave [home]479-home in two or three months , and [I]256-clara talboys shall be perfectly free then to act as [I]256-clara talboys please . "[256-clara talboys] " [You]256-clara talboys are not going to leave [England]7-england ? "[173-robert] [Robert]173-robert asked . " Oh no ! [I]173-robert am only going to pay a long - promised visit to [some friends in [Essex]2-essex]6378-some friends in essex . "[173-robert] [Robert]173-robert started so violently as [Clara Talboys]256-clara talboys said this , that [she]256-clara talboys looked suddenly at [his]173-robert face . The agitation visible there , betrayed a part of [his]173-robert secret . " [[My]256-clara talboys brother]6319-my brother [George]259-george disappeared in [Essex]2-essex , "[256-clara talboys] [she]256-clara talboys said . [He]173-robert could not contradict [her]256-clara talboys . " [I]173-robert am sorry [you]256-clara talboys have discovered so much , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert replied . " [My]173-robert position becomes every day more complicated , every day more painful . Good - bye . "[173-robert] [She]256-clara talboys gave [him]173-robert [her]256-clara talboys hand mechanically , when [he]173-robert held out [his]173-robert ; but it was cold as marble , and lay listlessly in [his]173-robert own , and fell like a log at [her]256-clara talboys side when [he]173-robert released it . " [Pray]261-pray lose no time in returning to [the house]388-the house , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said earnestly . " [I]173-robert fear [you]256-clara talboys will suffer from this morning 's work . "[173-robert] " Suffer ! "[256-clara talboys] [she]256-clara talboys exclaimed , scornfully . " [You]173-robert talk to [me]256-clara talboys of suffering , when [the only creature in [this world]2310-this world who ever loved [me]256-clara talboys]6381-the only creature in this world who ever loved me has been taken from it in the bloom of youth . What can there be for [me]256-clara talboys henceforth but suffering ? What is the cold to [me]256-clara talboys ? "[256-clara talboys] [she]256-clara talboys said , flinging back [her]256-clara talboys shawl and baring [her]256-clara talboys beautiful head to the bitter wind . " [I]256-clara talboys would walk from here to [London]3-london barefoot through the snow , and never stop by the way , if [I]256-clara talboys could bring [him]6383-him back to life . What would [I]256-clara talboys not do to bring [him]6383-him back ? What would [I]256-clara talboys not do ? "[256-clara talboys] The words broke from [her]256-clara talboys in a wail of passionate sorrow ; and clasping [her]256-clara talboys hands before [her]256-clara talboys face , [she]256-clara talboys wept for the first time that day . The violence of [her]256-clara talboys sobs shook [her]256-clara talboys slender frame , and [she]256-clara talboys was obliged to lean against the trunk of a tree for support . [Robert]173-robert looked at [her]256-clara talboys with a tender compassion in [his]173-robert face ; [she]256-clara talboys was so like [the friend whom [he]173-robert had loved and lost]2502-the friend whom he had loved and lost , that it was impossible for [him]173-robert to think of [her]256-clara talboys as [a stranger]1506-a stranger ; impossible to remember that [they]2504-us had met that morning for the first time . " Pray , pray be calm , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said : " hope even against hope . [We]2504-us may both be deceived ; [[your]256-clara talboys brother]6374-your brother may still live . "[173-robert] " Oh ! if it were so , "[256-clara talboys] [she]256-clara talboys murmured , passionately ; " if it could be so . "[256-clara talboys] " Let [us]2504-us try and hope that it may be so . "[173-robert] " No , "[256-clara talboys] [she]256-clara talboys answered , looking at [him]173-robert through [her]256-clara talboys tears , " let [us]2504-us hope for nothing but revenge . Good - by , [Mr. Audley]173-robert . Stop ; [your]173-robert address . "[256-clara talboys] [He]173-robert gave [her]256-clara talboys a card , which [she]256-clara talboys put into the pocket of [her]256-clara talboys dress . " [I]256-clara talboys will send [you]173-robert [George]259-george 's letters , "[256-clara talboys] [she]256-clara talboys said ; " [they]6385-they may help [you]173-robert . Good - by . "[256-clara talboys] [She]256-clara talboys left [him]173-robert half bewildered by the passionate energy of [her]256-clara talboys manner , and the noble beauty of [her]256-clara talboys face . [He]173-robert watched [her]256-clara talboys as [she]256-clara talboys disappeared among the straight trunks of the fir - trees , and then walked slowly out of [the plantation]2470-the plantation . " Heaven help those who stand between [me]173-robert and the secret , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert thought , " for [they]6386-they will be sacrificed to the memory of [George Talboys]181-george talboys . "[173-robert] [Robert Audley]173-robert did not return to [Southampton]33-southampton , but took a ticket for [the first up town train that left [Wareham]82-wareham]2506-the first up town train that left wareham , and reached [Waterloo Bridge]84-waterloo bridge an hour or two after dark . The snow , which had been hard and crisp in [Dorsetshire]76-dorsetshire , was a black and greasy slush in [the Waterloo Road]2507-the waterloo road , thawed by the flaring lamps of [the gin - palaces]2508-the gin - palaces and the glaring gas in [[the butchers]2509-the butchers ' shops]2510-the butchers ' shops . [Robert Audley]173-robert shrugged [his]173-robert shoulders as [he]173-robert looked at [the dingy streets through which [the Hansom]85-the hansom carried [him]173-robert]2511-the dingy streets through which the hansom carried him , [the cab - man]2512-the cab - man choosing — with that delicious instinct which seems innate in [the drivers of [hackney vehicles]2514-hackney vehicles]2513-the drivers of hackney vehicles — [all those dark and hideous thoroughfares utterly unknown to [the ordinary pedestrian]2516-the ordinary pedestrian]2515-all those dark and hideous thoroughfares utterly unknown to the ordinary pedestrian . " What a pleasant thing life is , "[955-the barrister] thought [the barrister]955-the barrister . " What an unspeakable boon — what an overpowering blessing ! Let [any man]6387-any man make a calculation of [his]6387-any man existence , subtracting the hours in which [he]6387-any man has been thoroughly happy — really and entirely at [his]6387-any man ease , without one arriere pensée to mar [his]6387-any man enjoyment — without the most infinitesimal cloud to overshadow the brightness of [his]6387-any man horizon . Let [him]6387-any man do this , and surely [he]6387-any man will laugh in utter bitterness of soul when [he]6387-any man sets down the sum of [his]6387-any man felicity , and discovers the pitiful smallness of the amount . [He]6387-any man will have enjoyed [himself]6387-any man for a week or ten days in thirty years , perhaps . In thirty years of dull December , and blustering March , and showery April , and dark November weather , there may have been seven or eight glorious August days , through which the sun has blazed in cloudless radiance , and the summer breezes have breathed perpetual balm . How fondly [we]6388-us recollect these solitary days of pleasure , and hope for [their]6389-their recurrence , and try to plan the circumstances that made them bright ; and arrange , and predestinate , and diplomatize with fate for a renewal of the remembered joy . As if any joy could ever be built up out of such and such constituent parts ! As if happiness were not essentially accidental — a bright and wandering bird , utterly irregular in its migrations ; with [us]6388-us one summer 's day , and forever gone from [us]6388-us on the next ! Look at marriages , for instance , "[173-robert] mused [Robert]173-robert , who was as meditative in [the jolting vehicle]2518-the jolting vehicle , for whose occupation [he]173-robert was to pay sixpence a mile , as if [he]173-robert had been riding [a mustang]2519-a mustang on [the wild loneliness of [the prairies]2521-the prairies]2520-the wild loneliness of the prairies . " Look at marriage ! Who is to say which shall be [the one judicious selection out of nine hundred and ninety - nine mistakes]6390-the one judicious selection out of nine hundred and ninety - nine mistakes ! Who shall decide from the first aspect of the slimy creature , which is to be the one eel out of the colossal bag of snakes ? [That girl on the curbstone yonder]6391-that girl on the curbstone yonder , waiting to cross [the street]4740-the street when [[my]955-the barrister chariot]6393-my chariot shall have passed , may be [the one woman out of every female creature in [this vast universe]6395-this vast universe who could make [me]955-the barrister [a happy man]6396-a happy man]6394-the one woman out of every female creature in this vast universe who could make me a happy man . Yet [I]955-the barrister pass [her]6391-that girl on the curbstone yonder by — bespatter [her]6391-that girl on the curbstone yonder with the mud from [my]955-the barrister wheels , in [my]955-the barrister helpless ignorance , in [my]955-the barrister blind submission to the awful hand of fatality . If [that girl]6397-that girl , [Clara Talboys]256-clara talboys , had been five minutes later , [I]955-the barrister should have left [Dorsetshire]76-dorsetshire thinking [her]6397-that girl cold , hard , and unwomanly , and should have gone to [my]955-the barrister grave with that mistake part and parcel of [my]955-the barrister mind . [I]955-the barrister took [her]6397-that girl for [a stately and heartless automaton]6398-a stately and heartless automaton ; [I]955-the barrister know [her]6397-that girl now to be [a noble and beautiful woman]6399-a noble and beautiful woman . What an incalculable difference this may make in [my]955-the barrister life . When [I]955-the barrister left [that house]6322-that house , [I]955-the barrister went out into the winter day with the determination of abandoning all further thought of the secret of [George]181-george talboys 's death . [I]955-the barrister see [her]6397-that girl , and [she]6397-that girl forces [me]955-the barrister onward upon the loathsome path — the crooked by - way of watchfulness and suspicion . How can [I]955-the barrister say to [this sister of [[my]955-the barrister dead friend]6402-my dead friend]6401-this sister of my dead friend , ' [I]955-the barrister believe that [[your]6401-this sister of my dead friend brother]6374-your brother has been murdered ! [I]955-the barrister believe that [I]955-the barrister know by whom , but [I]955-the barrister will take no step to set [my]955-the barrister doubts at rest , or to confirm [my]955-the barrister fears ' ? [I]955-the barrister can not say this . [This woman]557-this woman knows half [my]955-the barrister secret ; [she]557-this woman will soon possess [herself]557-this woman of the rest , and then — and then — "[955-the barrister] [The cab]2522-the cab stopped in the midst of [Robert Audley]173-robert 's meditation , and [he]173-robert had to pay [the cabman]1419-the cabman , and submit to all the dreary mechanism of life , which is the same whether [we]2524-we are glad or sorry — whether [we]2524-we are to be married or hung , elevated to the woolsack , or disbarred by [[our]2524-we brother]2525-our brother benchers on some mysterious technical tangle of wrong - doing , which is a social enigma to those outside [the forum domesticum of [the Middle Temple]2527-the middle temple]2526-the forum domesticum of the middle temple . [We]2524-we are apt to be angry with this cruel hardness in [our]2524-we life — this unflinching regularity in the smaller wheels and meaner mechanism of the human machine , which knows no stoppage or cessation , though the mainspring be forever hollow , and the hands pointing to [purposeless figures on a shattered dial]2528-purposeless figures on a shattered dial . Who has not felt , in the first madness of sorrow , an unreasoning rage against the mute propriety of chairs and tables , the stiff squareness of Turkey carpets , the unbending obstinacy of the outward apparatus of existence ? [We]2524-we want to root up gigantic trees in [a primeval forest]2529-a primeval forest , and to tear their huge branches asunder in [our]2524-we convulsive grasp ; and the utmost that [we]2524-we can do for the relief of [our]2524-we passion is to knock over an easy - chair , or smash a few shillings ' worth of [Mr. Copeland]262-mr. copeland 's manufacture . [Madhouses]2530-madhouses are large and only too numerous ; yet surely it is strange [they]2530-madhouses are not larger , when [we]2524-we think of how [many helpless wretches]2531-many helpless wretches must beat [their]2531-many helpless wretches brains against this hopeless persistency of the orderly outward world , as compared with the storm and tempest , the riot and confusion within — when [we]2524-we remember how many minds must tremble upon the narrow boundary between reason and unreason , mad to - day and sane to - morrow , mad yesterday and sane to - day . [Robert Audley]173-robert had directed [the cabman]1419-the cabman to drop [him]1419-the cabman at [the corner of [Chancery Lane]51-chancery lane]5707-the corner of chancery lane , and [he]1419-the cabman ascended the brilliantly - lighted staircase leading to [the dining - saloon of The London]2534-the dining - saloon of the london , and seated [himself]1419-the cabman at one of the snug tables with a confused sense of emptiness and weariness , rather than any agreeable sensation of healthy hunger . [He]1419-the cabman had come to [the luxurious eating - house]2535-the luxurious eating - house to dine , because it was absolutely necessary to eat something somewhere , and a great deal easier to get a very good dinner from [Mr. Sawyer]263-mr. sawyer than a very bad one from [Mrs. Maloney]202-mrs. maloney , whose mind ran in one narrow channel of chops and steaks , only variable by small creeks and outlets in the way of " broiled sole "[2538-the friendly waiter] or " boiled mack'-rill . "[2538-the friendly waiter] [The solicitous waiter]2536-the solicitous waiter tried in vain to rouse [poor Robert]173-robert to a proper sense of the solemnity of the dinner question . [He]1419-the cabman muttered something to the effect that [the man]634-the man might bring [him]1419-the cabman anything [he]1419-the cabman liked , and [the friendly waiter]2538-the friendly waiter , who knew [Robert]173-robert as [a frequent guest at the little tables]2539-a frequent guest at the little tables , went back to [[his]2538-the friendly waiter master]2445-his master with a doleful face , to say that [Mr. Audley]173-robert , from [Figtree Court]14-figtree court , was evidently out of spirits . [Robert]173-robert ate [his]173-robert dinner , and drank a pint of [Moselle]264-moselle ; but [he]173-robert had poor appreciation of the excellence of the viands or the delicate fragrance of the wine . The mental monologue still went on , and [the young philosopher of the modern school]2541-the young philosopher of the modern school was arguing the favorite modern question of the nothingness of everything , and the folly of taking too much trouble to walk upon a road that went nowhere , or to compass a work that meant nothing . " [I]2541-the young philosopher of the modern school accept the dominion of [that pale girl , with the statuesque features and the calm brown eyes]6405-that pale girl , with the statuesque features and the calm brown eyes , "[2541-the young philosopher of the modern school] [he]2541-the young philosopher of the modern school thought . " [I]2541-the young philosopher of the modern school recognize the power of a mind superior to [my]2541-the young philosopher of the modern school own , and [I]2541-the young philosopher of the modern school yield to it , and bow down to it . [I]2541-the young philosopher of the modern school 've been acting for [myself]2541-the young philosopher of the modern school , and thinking for [myself]2541-the young philosopher of the modern school , for the last few months , and [I]2541-the young philosopher of the modern school 'm tired of the unnatural business . [I]2541-the young philosopher of the modern school 've been false to the leading principle of [my]2541-the young philosopher of the modern school life , and [I]2541-the young philosopher of the modern school 've suffered for the folly . [I]2541-the young philosopher of the modern school found two gray hairs in [my]2541-the young philosopher of the modern school head the week before last , and an impertinent crow has planted a delicate impression of [his]2541-the young philosopher of the modern school foot under [my]2541-the young philosopher of the modern school right eye . Yes , [I]2541-the young philosopher of the modern school 'm getting old upon the right side ; and why — why should it be so ? "[2541-the young philosopher of the modern school] [He]2541-the young philosopher of the modern school pushed away [his]2541-the young philosopher of the modern school plate and lifted [his]2541-the young philosopher of the modern school eyebrows , staring at the crumbs upon the glistening damask , as [he]2541-the young philosopher of the modern school pondered the question . " What the devil am [I]2541-the young philosopher of the modern school doing in this galere ? "[2541-the young philosopher of the modern school] [he]2541-the young philosopher of the modern school asked . " But [I]2541-the young philosopher of the modern school am in it , and [I]2541-the young philosopher of the modern school ca n't get out of it ; so [I]2541-the young philosopher of the modern school better submit [myself]2541-the young philosopher of the modern school to [the brown - eyed girl]6406-the brown - eyed girl , and do what [she]6406-the brown - eyed girl tells [me]2541-the young philosopher of the modern school patiently and faithfully . What a wonderful solution to life 's enigma there is in petticoat government ! [Man]990-man might lie in the sunshine , and eat lotuses , and fancy it ' always afternoon , ' if [[his]990-man wife]554-his wife would let [him]990-man ! But [she]6406-the brown - eyed girl wo n't , bless [her]6406-the brown - eyed girl impulsive heart and active mind ! [She]6406-the brown - eyed girl knows better than that . Who ever heard of [a woman]503-a woman taking life as it ought to be taken ? Instead of supporting it as an unavoidable nuisance , only redeemable by its brevity , [she]6406-the brown - eyed girl goes through it as if it were a pageant or a procession . [She]6406-the brown - eyed girl dresses for it , and simpers and grins , and gesticulates for it . [She]6406-the brown - eyed girl pushes [[her]6406-the brown - eyed girl neighbors]6410-her neighbors , and struggles for a good place in the dismal march ; [she]6406-the brown - eyed girl elbows , and writhes , and tramples , and prances to the one end of making the most of the misery . [She]6406-the brown - eyed girl gets up early and sits up late , and is loud , and restless , and noisy , and unpitying . [She]6406-the brown - eyed girl drags [[her]6406-the brown - eyed girl husband]469-her husband on to the woolsack , or pushes [him]469-her husband into [Parliament]86-parliament . [She]6406-the brown - eyed girl drives [him]469-her husband full butt at [the dear , lazy machinery of government]6412-the dear , lazy machinery of government , and knocks and buffets [him]469-her husband about the wheels , and cranks , and screws , and pulleys ; until [somebody]6413-somebody , for quiet 's sake , makes [him]469-her husband something that [she]6406-the brown - eyed girl wanted [him]469-her husband to be made . That 's why [incompetent men]6414-incompetent men sometimes sit in high places , and interpose [their]6414-incompetent men poor , muddled intellects between the things to be done and [the people that can do them]6415-the people that can do them , making universal confusion in the helpless innocence of well - placed incapacity . [The square men in the round holes]6416-the square men in the round holes are pushed into [them]6416-the square men in the round holes by [[their]6416-the square men in the round holes wives]6417-their wives . [The Eastern potentate who declared that [women were at the bottom of all mischief]6419-women were at the bottom of all mischief]6418-the eastern potentate who declared that women were at the bottom of all mischief , should have gone a little further and seen why it is so . It is because [women]4642-women are never lazy . [They]4642-women do n't know what it is to be quiet . [They]4642-women are [Semiramides]6421-semiramides , and [Cleopatras]265-cleopatras , and [Joans of Arc]266-joans of arc , [Queen Elizabeths]267-queen elizabeths , and [Catharines]268-catharines the Second , and [they]4642-women riot in battle , and murder , and clamor and desperation . If [they]4642-women ca n't agitate [the universe]6422-the universe and play at ball with hemispheres , [they]4642-women 'll make mountains of warfare and vexation out of [domestic molehills]6423-domestic molehills , and social storms in household teacups . Forbid [them]4642-women to hold forth upon the freedom of nations and the wrongs of [mankind]6424-mankind , and [they]4642-women 'll quarrel with [Mrs. Jones]269-mrs. jones about the shape of a mantle or the character of [a small maid - servant]6425-a small maid - servant . To call [them]4642-women the weaker sex is to utter a hideous mockery . [They]4642-women are [the stronger sex]6426-the stronger sex , [the noisier , the more persevering , the most self - assertive sex]6427-the noisier , the more persevering , the most self - assertive sex . [They]4642-women want freedom of opinion , variety of occupation , do [they]4642-women ? Let [them]4642-women have it . Let [them]4642-women be [lawyers]6428-lawyers , [doctors]6429-doctors , [preachers]6430-preachers , [teachers]6431-teachers , [soldiers]6432-soldiers , [legislators]6433-legislators — anything [they]4642-women like — but let [them]4642-women be quiet — if [they]4642-women can . "[2541-the young philosopher of the modern school] [Mr. Audley]173-robert pushed [his]173-robert hands through the thick luxuriance of [his]173-robert straight brown hair , and uplifted the dark mass in [his]173-robert despair . " [I]173-robert hate [women]4642-women , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert thought , savagely . " [They]4642-women 're bold , brazen , abominable creatures , invented for the annoyance and destruction of [[their]4642-women superiors]6435-their superiors . Look at this business of poor [George]181-george talboys 's ! It 's [all woman]6436-all woman 's work from one end to the other . [He]173-robert marries [a woman]503-a woman , and [[his]173-robert father]709-his father casts [him]173-robert off penniless and professionless . [He]173-robert hears of [the woman]5008-the woman 's death and [he]173-robert breaks [his]173-robert heart — [his]173-robert good honest , manly heart , worth a million of the treacherous lumps of self - interest and mercenary calculation which beats in [women]4642-women 's breasts . [He]173-robert goes to [[a woman]503-a woman 's house]6442-a woman 's house and [he]173-robert is never seen alive again . And now [I]173-robert find [myself]173-robert driven into a corner by [another woman]5641-another woman , of whose existence [I]173-robert had never thought until this day . And — and then , "[173-robert] mused [Mr. Audley]173-robert , rather irrelevantly , " there 's [Alicia]190-alicia , too ; [she]190-alicia 's [another nuisance]6444-another nuisance . [She]503-a woman 'd like [me]173-robert to marry [her]503-a woman [I]173-robert know ; and [she]503-a woman 'll make [me]173-robert do it , [I]173-robert dare say , before [she]503-a woman 's done with [me]173-robert . But [I]173-robert 'd much rather not ; though [she]503-a woman is [a dear , bouncing , generous thing]6445-a dear , bouncing , generous thing , bless [her]503-a woman poor little heart . "[173-robert] [Robert]173-robert paid [his]173-robert bill and rewarded [the waiter]4929-the waiter liberally . [The young barrister]5094-the young barrister was very willing to distribute [his]5094-the young barrister comfortable little income among [the people who served [him]5094-the young barrister]2544-the people who served him , for [he]5094-the young barrister carried [his]5094-the young barrister indifference to all things in [the universe]6422-the universe , even to the matter of pounds , shillings and pence . Perhaps [he]5094-the young barrister was rather exceptional in this , as [you]2546-you may frequently find that [the philosopher who calls life an empty delusion]2547-the philosopher who calls life an empty delusion is pretty sharp in the investment of [his]2547-the philosopher who calls life an empty delusion moneys , and recognizes the tangible nature of India bonds , Spanish certificates , and Egyptian scrip — as contrasted with the painful uncertainty of an Ego or a non - Ego in metaphysics . [The snug rooms in [Figtree Court]14-figtree court]2548-the snug rooms in figtree court seemed dreary in [their]2548-the snug rooms in figtree court orderly quiet to [Robert Audley]173-robert upon this particular evening . [He]173-robert had no inclination for [his]173-robert French novels , though there was a packet of uncut romances , comic and sentimental , ordered a month before , waiting [his]173-robert pleasure upon one of the tables . [He]173-robert took [his]173-robert favorite meerschaum and dropped into [his]173-robert favorite chair with a sigh . " It 's comfortable , but it seems so deuced lonely to - night . If poor [George]181-george talboys were sitting opposite to [me]173-robert , or — or even [[George]181-george talboys 's sister]6446-george 's sister — [she]6446-george 's sister 's very like [him]173-robert — existence might be a little more endurable . But when [a fellow]5492-a fellow 's lived by [himself]5492-a fellow for eight or ten years [he]5492-a fellow begins to be bad company . "[173-robert] [He]173-robert burst out laughing presently as [he]173-robert finished [his]173-robert first pipe . " The idea of [my]173-robert thinking of [[George]181-george talboys 's sister]6446-george 's sister , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert thought ; " what [a preposterous idiot]6449-a preposterous idiot [I]173-robert am ! "[173-robert] The next day 's post brought [him]173-robert a letter in a firm but feminine hand , which was strange to [him]173-robert . [He]173-robert found the little packet lying on [his]173-robert breakfast - table , beside the warm French roll wrapped in a napkin by [Mrs. Maloney]202-mrs. maloney 's careful but rather dirty hands . [He]173-robert contemplated the envelope for some minutes before opening it — not in any wonder as to [[his]173-robert correspondent]2549-his correspondent , for the letter bore the postmark of [Grange Heath]83-grange heath , and [he]173-robert knew that there was only [one person who was likely to write to [him]173-robert from [that obscure village]2551-that obscure village , but in that lazy dreaminess which was a part of [his]173-robert character]2550-one person who was likely to write to him from that obscure village , but in that lazy dreaminess which was a part of his character . " From [Clara Talboys]256-clara talboys , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert murmured slowly , as [he]173-robert looked critically at the clearly - shaped letters of [his]173-robert name and address . " Yes , from [Clara Talboys]256-clara talboys , most decidedly ; [I]173-robert recognized a feminine resemblance to poor [George]181-george talboys 's hand ; neater than [his]173-robert , and more decided than [his]173-robert , but very like , very like . "[173-robert] [He]173-robert turned the letter over and examined the seal , which bore [[his]173-robert friend]4909-his friend 's familiar crest . " [I]173-robert wonder what [she]256-clara talboys says to [me]173-robert ? "[173-robert] [he]173-robert thought . " It 's a long letter , [I]173-robert dare say ; [she]256-clara talboys 's [the kind of woman who would write a long letter]6450-the kind of woman who would write a long letter — a letter that will urge [me]173-robert on , drive [me]173-robert forward , wrench [me]173-robert out of [myself]173-robert , [I]173-robert 've no doubt . But that ca n't be helped — so here goes ! "[173-robert] [He]173-robert tore open the envelope with a sigh of resignation . It contained nothing but [George]181-george talboys 's two letters , and a few words written on the flap : " [I]173-robert send the letters ; please preserve and return them — C.T. "[173-robert] The letter , written from [Liverpool]6-liverpool , told nothing of [the writer]2032-the writer 's life except [his]2032-the writer sudden determination of starting for [a new world]2554-a new world , to redeem the fortunes that had been ruined in the old . The letter written almost immediately after [George]181-george talboys 's marriage , contained a full description of [[his]2032-the writer wife]554-his wife — such a description as [a man]445-a man could only write within three weeks of a love match — a description in which every feature was minutely catalogued , every grace of form or beauty of expression fondly dwelt upon , every charm of manner lovingly depicted . [Robert Audley]173-robert read the letter three times before [he]173-robert laid it down . " If [George]181-george talboys could have known for what a purpose this description would serve when [he]2032-the writer wrote it , "[5094-the young barrister] thought [the young barrister]5094-the young barrister , " surely [his]2032-the writer hand would have fallen paralyzed by horror , and powerless to shape one syllable of these tender words . "[5094-the young barrister] The dreary [London]3-london January dragged its dull length slowly out . The last slender records of Christmas time were swept away , and [Robert Audley]173-robert still lingered in [town]864-town — still spent [his]173-robert lonely evenings in [[his]173-robert quiet sitting - room in [Figtree Court]14-figtree court]2559-his quiet sitting - room in figtree court — still wandered listlessly in [the Temple Gardens]5695-the temple gardens on sunny mornings , absently listening to [the children]2241-the children 's babble , idly watching [their]2241-the children play . [He]173-robert had [many friends among [the inhabitants of [the quaint old buildings]2564-the quaint old buildings round [him]173-robert]2563-the inhabitants of the quaint old buildings round him]2562-many friends among the inhabitants of the quaint old buildings round him ; [he]173-robert had [other friends far away in [pleasant country places]2566-pleasant country places , whose [spare bedrooms]2567-spare bedrooms were always at [[Bob]174-bob 's service , whose cheerful firesides had snugly luxurious chairs specially allotted to [him]173-robert]2568-bob 's service , whose cheerful firesides had snugly luxurious chairs specially allotted to him]2565-other friends far away in pleasant country places , whose spare bedrooms were always at bob 's service , whose cheerful firesides had snugly luxurious chairs specially allotted to him . But [he]173-robert seemed to have lost all taste for companionship , all sympathy with the pleasures and occupations of [[his]173-robert class]2569-his class , since the disappearance of [George Talboys]181-george talboys . [Elderly benchers]2570-elderly benchers indulged in facetious observations upon [the young man]667-the young man 's pale face and moody manner . [They]2570-elderly benchers suggested the probability of some unhappy attachment , some feminine ill - usage as the secret cause of the change . [They]2570-elderly benchers told [him]173-robert to be of good cheer , and invited [him]173-robert to supper - parties , at which " [lovely woman , with all [her]6451-lovely woman , with all her faults faults]6451-lovely woman , with all her faults , God bless [her]6451-lovely woman , with all her faults , "[2570-elderly benchers] was drunk by gentlemen who shed tears as [they]2570-elderly benchers proposed the toast , and were maudlin and unhappy in [their]2570-elderly benchers cups toward the close of the entertainment . [Robert]173-robert had no inclination for the wine - bibbing and the punch - making . The one idea of [his]173-robert life had become [[his]173-robert master]2445-his master . [He]173-robert was [the bonden slave of one gloomy thought]2573-the bonden slave of one gloomy thought — one horrible presentiment . A dark cloud was brooding above [[[his]173-robert uncle]4872-his uncle 's house]1245-his uncle 's house , and it was [his]173-robert hand which was to give the signal for the thunder - clap , and the tempest that was to ruin that noble life . " If [she]5100-the young lady would only take warning and run away , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said to [himself]173-robert sometimes . " Heaven knows , [I]173-robert have given [her]5100-the young lady a fair chance . Why does n't [she]5100-the young lady take it and run away ? "[173-robert] [He]173-robert heard sometimes from [Sir Michael]146-sir michael , sometimes from [Alicia]190-alicia . [The young lady]5100-the young lady 's letter rarely contained more than a few curt lines informing [him]173-robert that [her]5100-the young lady papa was well ; and that [Lady Audley]150-lady audley was in very high spirits , amusing [herself]150-lady audley in [her]150-lady audley usual frivolous manner , and with [her]150-lady audley usual disregard for [other people]1822-other people . A letter from [Mr. Marchmont]247-mr. marchmont , [the Southampton schoolmaster]2578-the southampton schoolmaster , informed [Robert]173-robert that [little Georgey]187-georgey was going on very well , but that [he]187-georgey was behindhand in [his]187-georgey education , and had not yet passed the intellectual Rubicon of words of two syllables . [Captain Maldon]183-captain maldon had called to see [[his]183-captain maldon grandson]2579-his grandson , but that privilege had been withheld from [him]183-captain maldon , in accordance with [Mr. Audley]173-robert 's instructions . [The old man]694-the old man had furthermore sent a parcel of pastry and sweetmeats to [the little boy]5034-the little boy , which had also been rejected on the ground of indigestible and bilious tendencies in the edibles . Toward the close of February , [Robert]173-robert received a letter from [[his]173-robert cousin]786-his cousin [Alicia]190-alicia , which hurried [him]173-robert one step further forward toward [his]173-robert destiny , by causing [him]173-robert to return to [the house from which [he]173-robert had become]2583-the house from which he had become in a manner exiled at the instigation of [[his]173-robert uncle 's wife]1391-his uncle 's wife . " [Papa]188-papa is very ill , "[190-alicia] [Alicia]190-alicia wrote ; " not dangerously ill , thank [God]164-god ; but confined to [[his]188-papa room]6452-his room by an attack of low fever which has succeeded a violent cold . Come and see [him]188-papa , [Robert]173-robert , if [you]173-robert have any regard for [[your]173-robert nearest relations]6453-your nearest relations . [He]188-papa has spoken about [you]173-robert several times ; and [I]190-alicia know [he]188-papa will be glad to have [you]173-robert with [him]188-papa . Come at once , but say nothing about this letter . "[190-alicia] From [[your]173-robert affectionate cousin]5077-your affectionate cousin , [ALICIA]190-alicia . " A sick and deadly terror chilled [Robert Audley]173-robert 's heart , as [he]173-robert read this letter — a vague yet hideous fear , which [he]173-robert dared not shape into any definite form . "[190-alicia] Have [I]0-i done right ? " [he]173-robert thought , in the first agony of this new horror—"have[0-i] [I]0-i done right to tamper with justice ; and to keep the secret of [my]0-i doubts in the hope that [I]0-i was shielding those [I]0-i love from sorrow and disgrace ? What shall [I]0-i do if [I]0-i find [him]2586-him ill , very ill , dying perhaps , dying upon [her]5077-your affectionate cousin breast ! What shall [I]0-i do ? " One course lay clear before [him]173-robert ; and the first step of that course was a rapid journey to [Audley Court]1-audley court . [He]173-robert packed [his]173-robert portmanteau , jumped into [a cab]6454-a cab , and reached [the railway station]541-the railway station within an hour of [his]173-robert receipt of [Alicia]190-alicia 's letter , which had come by the afternoon post . The dim village lights flickered faintly through the growing dusk when [Robert]173-robert reached [Audley]150-lady audley . [He]173-robert left [his]173-robert portmanteau with [the station - master]6456-the station - master , and walked at a leisurely pace through [the quiet lanes that led away to the still loneliness of [the Court]373-the court]6457-the quiet lanes that led away to the still loneliness of the court . The over - arching trees stretched their leafless branches above [his]173-robert head , bare and weird in the dusky light . A low moaning wind swept across [the flat meadow land]6459-the flat meadow land , and tossed those rugged branches hither and thither against the dark gray sky . They looked like the ghostly arms of shrunken and withered giants , beckoning [Robert]173-robert to [[[his]173-robert uncle]4872-his uncle 's house]1245-his uncle 's house . [They]6462-they looked like threatening phantoms in the chill winter twilight , gesticulating to [him]173-robert to hasten upon [his]173-robert journey . [The long avenue]740-the long avenue so bright and pleasant when the perfumed limes scattered their light bloom upon [the pathway]6464-the pathway , and the dog - rose leaves floated on the summer air , was terribly bleak and desolate in the cheerless interregnum that divides the homely joys of Christmas from the pale blush of coming spring — a dead pause in the year , in which Nature seems to lie in a tranced sleep , awaiting the wondrous signal for the budding of the flower . A mournful presentiment crept into [Robert Audley]173-robert 's heart as [he]173-robert drew nearer to [[[his]173-robert uncle]4872-his uncle 's house]1245-his uncle 's house . Every changing outline in [the landscape]6467-the landscape was familiar to [him]173-robert ; every bend of the trees ; every caprice of the untrammeled branches ; every undulation in the bare hawthorn hedge , broken by dwarf horse - chestnuts , stunted willows , blackberry and hazel bushes . [Sir Michael]146-sir michael had been [a second father to [the young man]667-the young man]6468-a second father to the young man , [a generous and noble friend]6470-a generous and noble friend , [a grave and earnest adviser]6471-a grave and earnest adviser ; and perhaps the strongest sentiment of [Robert]173-robert 's heart was [his]173-robert love for [the gray - bearded baronet]6472-the gray - bearded baronet . But the grateful affection was so much a part of [himself]173-robert , that it seldom found an outlet in words , and [a stranger]1506-a stranger would never have fathomed the depth of feeling which lay , a deep and powerful current , beneath the stagnant surface of [the barrister]955-the barrister 's character . "[0-i] What would become of [this place]5298-this place if [[my]0-i uncle]991-my uncle were to die ? " [he]0-i thought , and [he]0-i drew nearer to [the ivied archway]6475-the ivied archway , and [the still water - pools]6476-the still water - pools , coldly gray in the twilight . "[0-i] Would [other people]1822-other people live in [the old house]2590-the old house , and sit under the low oak ceilings in [the homely familiar rooms]2591-the homely familiar rooms ? " That wonderful faculty of association , so interwoven with the inmost fibers of even the hardest nature , filled [the young man]667-the young man 's breast with a prophetic pain as [he]0-i remembered that , however long or late , the day must come on which the oaken shutters would be closed for awhile , and the sunshine shut out of [the house]388-the house [he]0-i loved . It was painful to [him]0-i even to remember this ; as it must always be painful to think of the narrow lease the greatest upon [this earth]1644-this earth can ever hold of [its]1644-this earth grandeurs . Is it so wonderful that [some wayfarers]6480-some wayfarers drop asleep under the hedges , scarcely caring to toil onward on a journey that leads to [no abiding habitation]6481-no abiding habitation ? Is it wonderful that there have been quietists in [the world]519-the world ever since [Christ]271-christ 's religion was first preached upon [earth]1036-earth . Is it strange that there is a patient endurance and tranquil resignation , calm expectation of that which is to come on [the further shore of [the dark flowing river]6485-the dark flowing river]6484-the further shore of the dark flowing river ? Is it not rather to be wondered that [anybody]706-anybody should ever care to be great for greatness ' sake ; for any other reason than pure conscientiousness ; the simple fidelity of [the servant who fears to lay [his]6487-the servant who fears to lay his talents by in a napkin , knowing that indifference is near akin to dishonesty talents by in a napkin , knowing that indifference is near akin to dishonesty]6487-the servant who fears to lay his talents by in a napkin , knowing that indifference is near akin to dishonesty ? If [Robert Audley]173-robert had lived in the time of [Thomas à Kempis]272-thomas à kempis , [he]173-robert would very likely have built [himself]173-robert [a narrow hermitage amid [some forest loneliness]6489-some forest loneliness]6488-a narrow hermitage amid some forest loneliness , and spent [his]173-robert life in tranquil imitation of [the reputed author of The Imitation]6490-the reputed author of the imitation . As [it]6491-it was , [Figtree Court]14-figtree court was [a pleasant hermitage]6492-a pleasant hermitage in [its]14-figtree court way , and for breviaries and Books of Hours , [I]0-i am ashamed to say [the young barrister]5094-the young barrister substituted [Paul de Kock and Dumas]273-paul de kock and dumas , fils . But [his]173-robert sins were of so simply negative an order , that it would have been very easy for [him]173-robert to have abandoned them for negative virtues . Only one solitary light was visible in the long irregular range of windows facing [the archway]6494-the archway , as [Robert]173-robert passed under the gloomy shade of the rustling ivy , restless in the chill moaning of the wind . [He]173-robert recognized that lighted window as the large oriel in [[[his]173-robert uncle]4872-his uncle 's room]6496-his uncle 's room . When last [he]173-robert had looked at [the old house]2590-the old house [it]2590-the old house had been gay with [visitors]400-visitors , every window glittering like a low star in the dusk ; now , dark and silent , [it]2590-the old house faced the winter 's night like [some dismal baronial habitation , deep in a woodland solitude]6499-some dismal baronial habitation , deep in a woodland solitude . [The man who opened the door to [the unlooked - for visitor]6501-the unlooked - for visitor]6500-the man who opened the door to the unlooked - for visitor , brightened as [he]6500-the man who opened the door to the unlooked - for visitor recognized [[his]6500-the man who opened the door to the unlooked - for visitor master 's nephew]6502-his master 's nephew . "[0-i] [Sir Michael]146-sir michael will be cheered up a bit , [sir]900-sir , by the sight of [you]900-sir , " [he]6500-the man who opened the door to the unlooked - for visitor said , as [he]6500-the man who opened the door to the unlooked - for visitor ushered [Robert Audley]173-robert into [the fire - lit library , which seemed desolate by reason of [the baronet]465-the baronet 's easy - chair standing empty on the broad hearth - rug]6503-the fire - lit library , which seemed desolate by reason of the baronet 's easy - chair standing empty on the broad hearth - rug . "[900-sir] Shall [I]0-i bring [you]900-sir some dinner here , [sir]900-sir , before [you]900-sir go up - [stairs]5306-stairs ? " [the servant]1203-the servant asked . "[0-i] [[My]0-i lady]468-my lady and [Miss Audley]149-alicia have dined early during [[my]0-i master]2596-my master 's illness , but [I]0-i can bring [you]900-sir anything [you]900-sir would please to take , [sir]900-sir . " "[0-i] [I]0-i 'll take nothing until [I]0-i have seen [[my]0-i uncle]991-my uncle , " [Robert]173-robert answered , hurriedly ; "[0-i] that is to say , if [I]0-i can see [him]991-my uncle at once . [He]991-my uncle is not too ill to receive [me]0-i , [I]0-i suppose ? " [he]173-robert added , anxiously . "[0-i] Oh , no , [sir]900-sir — not too ill ; only a little low , [sir]900-sir . This way , if [you]900-sir please . " [He]0-i conducted [Robert]173-robert up the short flight of shallow oaken stairs to [the octagon chamber in which [George Talboys]181-george talboys had sat long five months before , staring absently at [[my]173-robert lady]468-my lady 's portrait]6506-the octagon chamber in which george talboys had sat long five months before , staring absently at my lady 's portrait . The picture was finished now , and hung in the post of honor opposite the window , amidst [Claudes]274-claudes , [Poussins]275-poussins and [Wouvermans , whose less brilliant hues were killed by the vivid coloring of the modern artist]6508-wouvermans , whose less brilliant hues were killed by the vivid coloring of the modern artist . [The bright face]6509-the bright face looked out of that tangled glitter of golden hair , in which [the Pre - Raphaelites]6510-the pre - raphaelites delight , with a mocking smile , as [Robert]173-robert paused for a moment to glance at the well - remembered picture . Two or three moments afterward [he]173-robert had passed through [[[my]173-robert lady]468-my lady 's boudoir and [dressing - room]6513-dressing - room]6512-my lady 's boudoir and dressing - room and stood upon the threshold of [[Sir Michael]146-sir michael 's room]6514-sir michael 's room . [The baronet]465-the baronet lay in a quiet sleep , [his]465-the baronet arm laying outside the bed , and [his]465-the baronet strong hand clasped in [[his]465-the baronet young wife]5117-his young wife 's delicate fingers . [Alicia]149-alicia sat in a low chair beside the broad open hearth , on which the huge logs burned fiercely in the frosty atmosphere . The interior of [this luxurious bedchamber]6517-this luxurious bedchamber might have made a striking picture for [an artist]6518-an artist 's pencil . The massive furniture , dark and somber , yet broken up and relieved here and there by scraps of gilding , and masses of glowing color ; the elegance of every detail , in which wealth was subservient to purity of taste ; and last , but greatest in importance , the graceful figures of [the two women]1218-the two women , and the noble form of [the old man]694-the old man would have formed a worthy study for [any painter]6521-any painter . [Lucy Audley]197-lucy , with [her]197-lucy disordered hair in a pale haze of yellow gold about [her]197-lucy thoughtful face , the flowing lines of [her]197-lucy soft muslin dressing - gown falling in straight folds to [her]197-lucy feet , and clasped at the waist by a narrow circlet of agate links might have served as a model for [a mediaeval saint]6522-a mediaeval saint , in [one of the tiny chapels hidden away in [the nooks and corners of [a gray old cathedral]6525-a gray old cathedral , unchanged by Reformation or [Cromwell]276-cromwell]6524-the nooks and corners of a gray old cathedral , unchanged by reformation or cromwell]6523-one of the tiny chapels hidden away in the nooks and corners of a gray old cathedral , unchanged by reformation or cromwell ; and what [saintly martyr of the Middle Ages]6526-saintly martyr of the middle ages could have borne a holier aspect than [the man whose gray beard lay upon the dark silken coverlet of the stately bed]6527-the man whose gray beard lay upon the dark silken coverlet of the stately bed ? [Robert]173-robert paused upon the threshold , fearful of awaking [[his]173-robert uncle]4872-his uncle . [The two ladies]6529-the two ladies had heard [his]173-robert step , cautious though [he]173-robert had been , and lifted [their]6529-the two ladies heads to look at [him]173-robert . [[My]173-robert lady]468-my lady 's face , quietly watching [the sick man]6531-the sick man , had worn an anxious earnestness which made it only more beautiful ; but the same face recognizing [Robert Audley]173-robert , faded from its delicate brightness , and looked scared and wan in the lamplight . "[173-robert] [Mr. Audley]173-robert ! " [she]468-my lady cried , in a faint , tremulous voice . "[173-robert] Hush ! " whispered [Alicia]149-alicia , with a warning gesture ; "[173-robert] [you]173-robert will wake [papa]1002-papa . How good of [you]173-robert to come , [Robert]173-robert , " [she]468-my lady added , in the same whispered tones , beckoning to [[her]468-my lady cousin]790-her cousin to take an empty chair near the bed . [The young man]667-the young man seated [himself]667-the young man in the indicated seat at the bottom of the bed , and opposite to [[my]173-robert lady]468-my lady , who sat close beside the pillows . [He]173-robert looked long and earnestly at the face of [the sleeper]6535-the sleeper ; still longer , still more earnestly at the face of [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , which was slowly recovering its natural hues . "[173-robert] [He]173-robert has not been very ill , has [he]173-robert ? " [Robert]173-robert asked , in the same key as that in which [Alicia]149-alicia had spoken . [[My]173-robert lady]468-my lady answered the question . "[173-robert] Oh , no , not dangerously ill , " [she]468-my lady said , without taking [her]468-my lady eyes from [[her]468-my lady husband]469-her husband 's face ; "[173-robert] but still [we]2602-we have been anxious , very , very anxious . " [Robert]173-robert never relaxed [his]173-robert scrutiny of that pale face . "[2603-her] [She]2603-her shall look at [me]0-i , " [he]0-i thought ; "[2603-her] [I]0-i will make [her]2603-her meet [my]0-i eyes , and [I]0-i will read [her]2603-her as [I]0-i have read [her]2603-her before . [She]2603-her shall know how useless [her]2603-her artifices are with [me]0-i . " [He]0-i paused for a few minutes before [he]0-i spoke again . The regular breathing of [the sleeper]6535-the sleeper the ticking of a gold hunting - watch at the head of the bed , and the crackling of the burning logs , were the only sounds that broke the stillness . "[2603-her] [I]0-i have no doubt [you]2603-her have been anxious , [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , " [Robert]173-robert said , after a pause , fixing [[my]2603-her lady]468-my lady 's eyes as they wandered furtively to [his]0-i face . "[2603-her] There is no one to whom [[my]0-i uncle]991-my uncle 's life can be of more value than to [you]2603-her . [Your]2603-her happiness , [your]2603-her prosperity , [your]2603-her safety depend alike upon [his]991-my uncle existence . " The whisper in which [he]0-i uttered these words was too low to reach the other side of [the room]595-the room , where [Alicia]149-alicia sat . [Lucy Audley]197-lucy 's eyes met those of [the speaker]4906-the speaker with some gleam of triumph in [their]4906-the speaker light . "[0-i] [I]0-i know that , " [she]197-lucy said . "[0-i] Those who strike [me]0-i must strike through [him]991-my uncle . " [She]197-lucy pointed to [the sleeper]6535-the sleeper as [she]197-lucy spoke , still looking at [Robert Audley]173-robert . [She]197-lucy defied [him]0-i with [her]197-lucy blue eyes , their brightness intensified by the triumph in [their]4906-the speaker glance . [She]197-lucy defied [him]0-i with [her]197-lucy quiet smile — a smile of fatal beauty , full of lurking significance and mysterious meaning — the smile which [the artist]5336-the artist had exaggerated in [his]5336-the artist portrait of [[Sir Michael]146-sir michael 's wife]6544-sir michael 's wife . [Robert]173-robert turned away from the lovely face , and shaded [his]0-i eyes with [his]0-i hand ; putting a barrier between [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady and [himself]0-i ; a screen which baffled [her]197-lucy penetration and provoked [her]197-lucy curiosity . Was [he]0-i still watching [her]197-lucy or was [he]0-i thinking ? and of what was [he]0-i thinking ? [Robert]173-robert had been seated at the bedside for upward of an hour before [[his]173-robert uncle]4872-his uncle awoke . [The baronet]465-the baronet was delighted at [[his]465-the baronet nephew]5177-his nephew 's coming . "[0-i] It was very good of [you]2605-you to come to [me]0-i , [Bob]174-bob , " [he]0-i said . "[174-bob] [I]0-i have been thinking of [you]2605-you a good deal since [I]0-i have been ill . [You]2605-you and [Lucy]197-lucy must be [good friends]5510-good friends , [you]2605-you know , [Bob]174-bob ; and [you]2605-you must learn to think of [her]197-lucy as [[your]2605-you aunt]1087-your aunt , [sir]900-sir ; though [she]197-lucy is young and beautiful ; and — and — [you]2605-you understand , eh ? " [Robert]173-robert grasped [[his]173-robert uncle]4872-his uncle 's hand , but [he]173-robert looked down as [he]173-robert answered : "[2605-you] [I]0-i do understand [you]2605-you , [sir]900-sir , " [he]0-i said , quietly ; "[2605-you] and [I]0-i give [you]2605-you [my]0-i word of honor that [I]0-i am steeled against [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady 's fascinations . [She]468-my lady knows that as well as [I]0-i do . " [Lucy Audley]197-lucy made a little grimace with [her]197-lucy pretty little lips . "[468-my lady] Bah , [you]0-i silly [Robert]173-robert , " [she]197-lucy exclaimed ; "[0-i] [you]0-i take everything au serieux . If [I]0-i thought [you]0-i were rather too young for [a nephew]2611-a nephew , it was only in [my]0-i fear of [other people]1822-other people 's foolish gossip ; not from any — " [She]197-lucy hesitated for a moment , and escaped any conclusion to [her]197-lucy sentence by the timely intervention of [Mr. Dawson]151-mr. dawson , [[her]197-lucy late employer]6550-her late employer , who entered [the room]595-the room upon [his]151-mr. dawson evening visit while [she]197-lucy was speaking . [He]151-mr. dawson felt [the patient]6552-the patient 's pulse ; asked two or three questions ; pronounced [the baronet]465-the baronet to be steadily improving ; exchanged a few commonplace remarks with [Alicia]149-alicia and [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , and prepared to leave [the room]595-the room . [Robert]173-robert rose and accompanied [him]2613-you to the door . "[0-i] [I]0-i will light [you]2613-you to the staircase , " [he]0-i said , taking a candle from one of the tables , and lighting it at the lamp . "[0-i] No , no , [Mr. Audley]173-robert , pray do not trouble [yourself]2613-you , " expostulated [the surgeon]508-the surgeon ; "[2613-you] [I]0-i know [my]0-i way very well indeed . " [Robert]173-robert insisted , and [the two men]6556-the two men left [the room]595-the room together . As [they]6556-the two men entered [the octagon ante - chamber]6558-the octagon ante - chamber [the barrister]955-the barrister paused and shut the door behind [him]955-the barrister . "[2613-you] Will [you]2613-you see that the door is closed , [Mr. Dawson]151-mr. dawson ? " [he]0-i said , pointing to that which opened upon [the staircase]6007-the staircase . "[2613-you] [I]0-i wish to have a few moments ' private conversation with [you]2613-you . " "[0-i] With much pleasure , " replied [the surgeon]508-the surgeon , complying with [Robert]173-robert 's request ; "[0-i] but if [you]2613-you are at all alarmed about [[your]2613-you uncle]1016-your uncle , [Mr. Audley]173-robert , [I]0-i can set [your]2613-you mind at rest . There is no occasion for the least uneasiness . Had [his]1016-your uncle illness been at all serious [I]0-i should have telegraphed immediately for [the family physician]2615-the family physician . " "[0-i] [I]0-i am sure that [you]2613-you would have done [your]2613-you duty , [sir]900-sir , " answered [Robert]173-robert , gravely . "[2613-you] But [I]0-i am not going to speak of [[my]0-i uncle]991-my uncle . [I]0-i wish to ask [you]2613-you two or three questions about [another person]2618-another person . " "[0-i] Indeed . " "[0-i] [The person who once lived in [[your]2613-you family]2620-your family]2619-the person who once lived in your family as [Miss Lucy Graham]152-miss graham ; the person who is now [Lady Audley]150-lady audley . " [Mr. Dawson]151-mr. dawson looked up with an expression of surprise upon [his]151-mr. dawson quiet face . "[150-lady audley] Pardon [me]0-i , [Mr. Audley]173-robert , " [he]151-mr. dawson answered ; "[0-i] [you]173-robert can scarcely expect [me]0-i to answer any questions about [[[your]2613-you uncle]1016-your uncle 's wife]2622-your uncle 's wife without [Sir Michael]146-sir michael 's express permission . [I]0-i can understand no motive which can prompt [you]173-robert to ask such questions — no worthy motive , at least . " [He]151-mr. dawson looked severely at [the young man]667-the young man , as much as to say : "[173-robert] [You]173-robert have been falling in love with [[[your]2613-you uncle]1016-your uncle 's pretty wife]2624-your uncle 's pretty wife , [sir]900-sir , and [you]173-robert want to make [me]0-i [a go - between]2626-a go - between in some treacherous flirtation ; but it wo n't do , [sir]900-sir , it wo n't do . " "[0-i] [I]0-i always respected [the lady]673-the lady as [Miss Graham]152-miss graham , [sir]900-sir , " [he]0-i said , "[152-miss graham] and [I]0-i esteem [her]673-the lady doubly as [Lady Audley]150-lady audley — not on account of [her]673-the lady altered position , but because [she]673-the lady is [the wife of one of [the noblest men in [Christendom]87-christendom]2631-the noblest men in christendom]2630-the wife of one of the noblest men in christendom . " "[900-sir] [You]900-sir can not respect [[my]0-i uncle]991-my uncle or [[my]0-i uncle]991-my uncle 's honor more sincerely than [I]0-i do , " answered [Robert]173-robert . "[900-sir] [I]0-i have no unworthy motive for the questions [I]0-i am about to ask ; and [you]900-sir must answer them . " "[900-sir] Must ! " echoed [Mr. Dawson]151-mr. dawson , indignantly . "[900-sir] Yes , [you]900-sir are [[my]0-i uncle 's friend]2634-my uncle 's friend . It was at [[your]900-sir house]6183-your house [he]991-my uncle met [the woman who is now [[his]991-my uncle wife]554-his wife]2636-the woman who is now his wife . [She]2636-the woman who is now his wife called [herself]2636-the woman who is now his wife [an orphan]5850-an orphan , [I]0-i believe , and enlisted [his]991-my uncle pity as well as [his]991-my uncle admiration in [her]2636-the woman who is now his wife behalf . [She]2636-the woman who is now his wife told [him]991-my uncle that [she]2636-the woman who is now his wife stood alone in [the world]519-the world , did [she]2636-the woman who is now his wife not?—without [a friend]5908-a friend or relative . This was all [I]0-i could ever learn of [her]2636-the woman who is now his wife antecedents . " "[2636-the woman who is now his wife] What reason have [you]0-i to wish to know more ? " asked [the surgeon]508-the surgeon . "[0-i] A very terrible reason , " answered [Robert Audley]173-robert . "[0-i] For some months past [I]0-i have struggled with doubts and suspicions which have embittered [my]0-i life . [They]2641-they have grown stronger every day ; and [they]2641-they will not be set at rest by the commonplace sophistries and the shallow arguments with which [men]4634-men try to deceive [themselves]4634-men rather than believe that which of all things upon [earth]1036-earth [they]4634-men most fear to believe . [I]0-i do not think that [the woman who bears [[my]0-i uncle]991-my uncle 's name]2644-the woman who bears my uncle 's name , is worthy to be [[his]991-my uncle wife]554-his wife . [I]0-i may wrong [her]2644-the woman who bears my uncle 's name . [Heaven]201-heaven grant that it is so . But if [I]0-i do , the fatal chain of circumstantial evidence never yet linked itself so closely about [an innocent person]2647-an innocent person . [I]0-i wish to set [my]0-i doubts at rest or — or to confirm [my]0-i fears . There is but one manner in which [I]0-i can do this . [I]0-i must trace the life of [[my]0-i uncle 's wife]2648-my uncle 's wife backward , minutely and carefully , from this night to a period of six years ago . This is the twenty - fourth of February , fifty - nine . [I]0-i want to know every record of [her]2648-my uncle 's wife life between to - night and the February of the year fifty - three . " "[0-i] And [your]0-i motive is a worthy one ? " "[0-i] Yes , [I]0-i wish to clear [her]2648-my uncle 's wife from a very dreadful suspicion . " "[0-i] Which exists only in [your]0-i mind ? " "[0-i] And in the mind of [one other person]2649-one other person . " "[2649-one other person] May [I]0-i ask who [that person]6137-that person is ? " "[0-i] No , [Mr. Dawson]151-mr. dawson , " answered [Robert]173-robert , decisively ; "[151-mr. dawson] [I]0-i can not reveal anything more than what [I]0-i have already told [you]151-mr. dawson . [I]0-i am [a very irresolute , vacillating man]2651-a very irresolute , vacillating man in most things . In this matter [I]0-i am compelled to be decided . [I]0-i repeat once more that [I]0-i must know the history of [Lucy Graham]152-miss graham 's life . If [you]151-mr. dawson refuse to help [me]0-i to the small extent in [your]151-mr. dawson power , [I]0-i will find [others who will help [me]0-i]2652-others who will help me . Painful as it would become , [I]0-i will ask [[my]0-i uncle]991-my uncle for the information which [you]151-mr. dawson would withhold , rather than be baffled in the first step of [my]0-i investigation . " [Mr. Dawson]151-mr. dawson was silent for some minutes . "[0-i] [I]0-i can not express how much [you]151-mr. dawson have astonished and alarmed [me]0-i , [Mr. Audley]173-robert . " [he]0-i said . "[173-robert] [I]0-i can tell [you]151-mr. dawson so little about [Lady Audley]150-lady audley 's antecedents , that it would be mere obstinacy to withhold the small amount of information [I]0-i possess . [I]0-i have always considered [[[your]151-mr. dawson uncle]1016-your uncle 's wife one of [the most amiable of [women]4642-women]2656-the most amiable of women]2655-your uncle 's wife one of the most amiable of women . [I]0-i can not bring [myself]0-i to think [her]2655-your uncle 's wife one of the most amiable of women otherwise . It would be an uprooting of one of the strongest convictions of [my]0-i life were [I]0-i compelled to think [her]2655-your uncle 's wife one of the most amiable of women otherwise . [You]151-mr. dawson wish to follow [her]2655-your uncle 's wife one of the most amiable of women life backward from the present hour to the year fifty - three ? " "[0-i] [I]0-i do . " "[0-i] [She]2655-your uncle 's wife one of the most amiable of women was married to [[your]151-mr. dawson uncle]1016-your uncle last June twelvemonth , in the midsummer of fifty - seven . [She]2655-your uncle 's wife one of the most amiable of women had lived in [[my]0-i house]6124-my house a little more than thirteen months . [She]2655-your uncle 's wife one of the most amiable of women became [a member of [[my]0-i household]2661-my household]2660-a member of my household upon the fourteenth of May , in the year fifty - six . " "[2655-your uncle 's wife one of the most amiable of women] And [she]2655-your uncle 's wife one of the most amiable of women came to [you]151-mr. dawson — " "[2655-your uncle 's wife one of the most amiable of women] From [a school at [Brompton]4-brompton]510-a school at brompton , [a school kept by [a lady of the name of [Vincent]192-mrs. vincent]2664-a lady of the name of vincent]2663-a school kept by a lady of the name of vincent . It was [Mrs. Vincent]192-mrs. vincent 's strong recommendation that induced [me]0-i to receive [Miss Graham]152-miss graham into [[my]0-i family]2665-my family without any more special knowledge of [her]2655-your uncle 's wife one of the most amiable of women antecedents . " "[152-miss graham] Did [you]151-mr. dawson see [this Mrs. Vincent]192-mrs. vincent ? " "[151-mr. dawson] [I]0-i did not . [I]0-i advertised for [a governess]2666-a governess , and [Miss Graham]152-miss graham answered [my]0-i advertisement . In [her]152-miss graham letter [she]152-miss graham referred [me]0-i to [Mrs. Vincent]192-mrs. vincent , [the proprietress of [a school in which [she]152-miss graham was then residing as [junior teacher]2669-junior teacher]2668-a school in which she was then residing as junior teacher]2667-the proprietress of a school in which she was then residing as junior teacher . [My]0-i time is always so fully occupied , that [I]0-i was glad to escape the necessity of a day 's loss in going from [Audley]150-lady audley to [London]3-london to inquire about [the young lady]5100-the young lady 's qualifications . [I]0-i looked for [Mrs. Vincent]192-mrs. vincent 's name in the directory , found it , and concluded that [she]192-mrs. vincent was [a responsible person]2671-a responsible person , and wrote to [her]192-mrs. vincent . [Her]192-mrs. vincent reply was perfectly satisfactory;—Miss [Lucy Graham]152-miss graham was assiduous and conscientious ; as well as fully qualified for the situation [I]0-i offered . [I]0-i accepted this reference , and [I]0-i had no cause to regret what may have been an indiscretion . And now , [Mr. Audley]173-robert , [I]0-i have told [you]173-robert all that [I]0-i have the power to tell . " "[0-i] Will [you]173-robert be so kind as to give [me]0-i the address of this [Mrs. Vincent]192-mrs. vincent ? " asked [Robert]173-robert , taking out [his]173-robert pocketbook . "[192-mrs. vincent] Certainly ; [she]192-mrs. vincent was then living at [No . 9 [Crescent Villas]88-crescent villas , [Brompton]4-brompton]2672-no . 9 crescent villas , brompton . " "[88-crescent villas] Ah , to be sure , " muttered [Mr. Audley]173-robert , a recollection of last September flashing suddenly back upon [him]173-robert as [the surgeon]508-the surgeon spoke . "[88-crescent villas] [Crescent Villas]88-crescent villas — yes , [I]0-i have heard the address before from [Lady Audley]150-lady audley [herself]150-lady audley . This [Mrs. Vincent]192-mrs. vincent telegraphed to [[[my]0-i uncle]991-my uncle 's wife]2648-my uncle 's wife early in last September . [She]192-mrs. vincent was ill — dying , [I]0-i believe — and sent for [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady ; but had removed from [[her]192-mrs. vincent old house]2676-her old house and was not to be found . " "[192-mrs. vincent] Indeed ! [I]0-i never heard [Lady Audley]150-lady audley mention the circumstance . " "[150-lady audley] Perhaps not . It occurred while [I]0-i was down [here]4776-here . Thank [you]2678-you , [Mr. Dawson]151-mr. dawson , for the information [you]2678-you have so kindly and honestly given [me]0-i . It takes [me]0-i back two and a - half years in the history of [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady 's life ; but [I]0-i have still a blank of three years to fill up before [I]0-i can exonerate [her]150-lady audley from [my]0-i terrible suspicion . Good evening . " [Robert]173-robert shook hands with [the surgeon]508-the surgeon and returned to [[[his]173-robert uncle]4872-his uncle 's room]6496-his uncle 's room . [He]173-robert had been away about a quarter of an hour . [Sir Michael]146-sir michael had fallen asleep once more , and [[my]2680-you lady]468-my lady 's loving hands had lowered the heavy curtains and shaded the lamp by the bedside . [Alicia]149-alicia and [[[her]149-alicia father]481-her father 's wife]6570-her father 's wife were taking tea in [[Lady Audley]150-lady audley 's boudoir]6571-lady audley 's boudoir , [the room next to the antechamber in which [Robert]173-robert and [Mr. Dawson]151-mr. dawson had been seated]6572-the room next to the antechamber in which robert and mr. dawson had been seated . [Lucy Audley]197-lucy looked up from [her]197-lucy occupation among the fragile china cups and watched [Robert]173-robert rather anxiously as [he]173-robert walked softly to [[[his]173-robert uncle]4872-his uncle 's room]6496-his uncle 's room and back again to [the boudoir]5330-the boudoir . [She]197-lucy looked very pretty and innocent , seated behind the graceful group of delicate opal china and glittering silver . Surely [a pretty woman]6576-a pretty woman never looks prettier than when making tea . [The most feminine and most domestic of all occupations]6577-the most feminine and most domestic of all occupations imparts a magic harmony to [her]197-lucy every movement , a witchery to [her]197-lucy every glance . The floating mists from the boiling liquid in which [she]197-lucy infuses the soothing herbs ; whose secrets are known to [her]197-lucy alone , envelope [her]197-lucy in a cloud of scented vapor , through which [she]197-lucy seems [a social fairy]6578-a social fairy , weaving potent spells with [Gunpowder]278-gunpowder and Bohea . At the tea - table [she]197-lucy reigns omnipotent , unapproachable . What do [men]4634-men know of the mysterious beverage ? Read how poor [Hazlitt]279-hazlitt made [his]279-hazlitt tea , and shudder at the dreadful barbarism . How clumsily [the wretched creatures]6580-the wretched creatures attempt to assist [the witch president of the tea - tray]6581-the witch president of the tea - tray ; how hopelessly [they]6580-the wretched creatures hold the kettle , how continually [they]6580-the wretched creatures imperil the frail cups and saucers , or the taper hands of [the priestess]6582-the priestess . To do away with the tea - table is to [rob [woman]6584-woman of [her]6584-woman legitimate empire]6583-rob woman of her legitimate empire . To send [a couple of hulking men]6585-a couple of hulking men about among [[your]6586-your visitors]6587-your visitors , distributing a mixture made in [[the housekeeper]486-the housekeeper 's room]799-the housekeeper 's room , is to reduce the most social and friendly of ceremonies to a formal giving out of rations . Better the pretty influence of the tea cups and saucers gracefully wielded in [a woman]503-a woman 's hand than all the inappropriate power snatched at the point of the pen from [the unwilling sterner sex]6591-the unwilling sterner sex . Imagine [all the women of [England]7-england]6592-all the women of england elevated to the high level of masculine intellectuality , superior to crinoline ; above pearl powder and [Mrs. Rachael Levison]280-mrs. rachael levison ; above taking the pains to be pretty ; above tea - tables and that cruelly scandalous and rather satirical gossip which [even strong men]6593-even strong men delight in ; and what a drear , utilitarian , ugly life [the sterner sex]6594-the sterner sex must lead . [[My]2680-you lady]468-my lady was by no means strong - minded . The starry diamonds upon [her]468-my lady white fingers flashed hither and thither among the tea - things , and [she]468-my lady bent [her]468-my lady pretty head over the marvelous Indian tea - caddy of sandal - wood and silver , with as much earnestness as if life held no higher purpose than the infusion of [Bohea]89-bohea . "[2680-you] [You]2680-you 'll take a cup of tea with [us]2681-us , [Mr. Audley]173-robert ? " [she]468-my lady asked , pausing with the teapot in [her]468-my lady hand to look up at [Robert]173-robert , who was standing near the door . "[173-robert] If [you]173-robert please . " "[173-robert] But [you]2680-you have not dined , perhaps ? Shall [I]0-i ring and tell [them]2682-them to bring [you]2680-you something a little more substantial than biscuits and transparent bread and butter ? " "[0-i] No , thank [you]2680-you , [Lady Audley]150-lady audley . [I]0-i took some lunch before [I]0-i left [town]864-town . [I]0-i 'll trouble [you]2680-you for nothing but a cup of tea . " [He]173-robert seated [himself]173-robert at the little table and looked across it at [[his]173-robert Cousin]786-his cousin [Alicia]149-alicia , who sat with a book in [her]149-alicia lap , and had the air of being very much absorbed by its pages . The bright brunette complexion had lost its glowing crimson , and the animation of [the young lady]5100-the young lady 's manner was suppressed — on account of [[her]149-alicia father]481-her father 's illness , no doubt , [Robert]173-robert thought . "[0-i] [Alicia]149-alicia , [[my]0-i dear]4626-my dear , " [the barrister]955-the barrister said , after a very leisurely contemplation of [[his]0-i cousin]786-his cousin , "[149-alicia] [you]149-alicia 're not looking well . " [Miss Audley]149-alicia shrugged [her]149-alicia shoulders , but did not condescend to lift [her]149-alicia eyes from [her]149-alicia book . "[149-alicia] Perhaps not , " [she]149-alicia answered , contemptuously . "[149-alicia] What does it matter ? [I]0-i 'm growing [a philosopher of [[your]0-i school]2686-your school]2685-a philosopher of your school , [Robert Audley]173-robert . What does it matter ? Who cares whether [I]0-i am well or ill ? " "[149-alicia] What [a spitfire]2687-a spitfire [she]149-alicia is , " thought [the barrister]955-the barrister . [He]955-the barrister always knew [[his]955-the barrister cousin]786-his cousin was angry with [him]955-the barrister when [she]786-his cousin addressed [him]955-the barrister as "[173-robert] [Robert Audley]173-robert . " "[173-robert] [You]0-i need n't pitch into [a fellow]5492-a fellow because [he]5492-a fellow asks [you]0-i a civil question , [Alicia]149-alicia , " [he]955-the barrister said , reproachfully . "[149-alicia] As to [nobody]566-nobody caring about [your]0-i health , that 's nonsense . [I]0-i care . " [Miss Audley]149-alicia looked up with a bright smile . "[0-i] [Sir Harry Towers]214-sir harry towers cares . " [Miss Audley]149-alicia returned to [her]149-alicia book with a frown . "[214-sir harry towers] What are [you]0-i reading [there]374-there , [Alicia]149-alicia ? " [Robert]173-robert asked , after a pause , during which [he]173-robert had sat thoughtfully stirring [his]173-robert tea . "[0-i] Changes and Chances . " "[0-i] A novel ? " "[0-i] Yes . " "[0-i] Who is it by ? " "[2691-the author of follies and faults] [The author of Follies and Faults]2691-the author of follies and faults , " answered [Alicia]149-alicia , still pursuing [her]149-alicia study of the romance upon [her]149-alicia lap . "[2691-the author of follies and faults] Is it interesting ? " [Miss Audley]149-alicia pursed up [her]149-alicia mouth and shrugged [her]149-alicia shoulders . "[2691-the author of follies and faults] Not particularly , " [she]149-alicia said . "[2691-the author of follies and faults] Then [I]0-i think [you]0-i might have better manners than to read it while [[your]0-i first cousin]2692-your first cousin is sitting opposite [you]0-i , " observed [Mr. Audley]173-robert , with some gravity , "[2692-your first cousin] especially as [he]2692-your first cousin has only come to pay [you]0-i a flying visit , and will be off to - morrow morning . " "[2692-your first cousin] To - morrow morning ! " exclaimed [[my]2692-your first cousin lady]468-my lady , looking up suddenly . Though the look of joy upon [Lady Audley]150-lady audley 's face was as brief as a flash of lightning on a summer sky , it was not unperceived by [Robert]173-robert . "[2692-your first cousin] Yes , " [he]173-robert said ; "[2692-your first cousin] [I]0-i shall be obliged to run up to [London]3-london to - morrow on business , but [I]0-i shall return the next day , if [you]0-i will allow [me]0-i , [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , and stay here till [[my]0-i uncle]991-my uncle recovers . " "[150-lady audley] But [you]0-i are not seriously alarmed about [him]991-my uncle , are [you]0-i ? " asked [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , anxiously . "[0-i] [You]0-i do not think [him]991-my uncle very ill ? " "[0-i] No , " answered [Robert]173-robert . "[0-i] Thank Heaven , [I]0-i think there is not the slightest cause for apprehension . " [[My]0-i lady]468-my lady sat silent for a few moments , looking at the empty teacups with a prettily thoughtful face — a face grave with the innocent seriousness of [a musing child]6606-a musing child . "[0-i] But [you]0-i were closeted such a long time with [Mr. Dawson]151-mr. dawson , just now , " [she]468-my lady said , after this brief pause . "[0-i] [I]0-i was quite alarmed at the length of [your]0-i conversation . Were [you]0-i talking of [Sir Michael]146-sir michael all the time ? " "[0-i] No ; not all the time ? " [[My]0-i lady]468-my lady looked down at the teacups once more . "[0-i] Why , what could [you]0-i find to say to [Mr. Dawson]151-mr. dawson , or [he]991-my uncle to say to [you]0-i ? " [she]468-my lady asked , after another pause . "[991-my uncle] [You]0-i are almost strangers to [each other]4890-each other . " "[991-my uncle] Suppose [Mr. Dawson]151-mr. dawson wished to consult [me]0-i about some law business . " "[151-mr. dawson] Was it that ? " cried [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , eagerly . "[151-mr. dawson] It would be rather unprofessional to tell [you]0-i if it were so , [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , " answered [Robert]173-robert , gravely . [[My]468-my lady lady]468-my lady bit [her]468-my lady lip , and relapsed into silence . [Alicia]149-alicia threw down [her]149-alicia book , and watched [[her]149-alicia cousin]790-her cousin 's preoccupied face . [He]173-robert talked to [her]149-alicia now and then for a few minutes , but it was evidently an effort to [him]173-robert to arouse [himself]173-robert from [his]173-robert revery . "[468-my lady] Upon [my]0-i word , [Robert Audley]173-robert , [you]173-robert are [a very agreeable companion]2696-a very agreeable companion , " exclaimed [Alicia]149-alicia at length , [her]149-alicia rather limited stock of patience quite exhausted by two or three of these abortive attempts at conversation . "[2696-a very agreeable companion] Perhaps the next time [you]173-robert come to [the Court]373-the court [you]173-robert will be good enough to bring [your]173-robert mind with [you]173-robert . By [your]173-robert present inanimate appearance , [I]0-i should imagine that [you]173-robert had left [your]173-robert intellect , such as it is , somewhere in [the Temple]4856-the temple . [You]173-robert were never [one of the liveliest of [people]572-people]2699-one of the liveliest of people , but latterly [you]173-robert have really grown almost unendurable . [I]0-i suppose [you]173-robert are in love , [Mr. Audley]173-robert , and are thinking of the honored object of [your]173-robert affections . " [He]173-robert was thinking of [Clara Talboys]256-clara talboys ' uplifted face , sublime in its unutterable grief ; of [her]256-clara talboys impassioned words still ringing in [his]173-robert ears as clearly as when they were first spoken . Again [he]173-robert saw [her]256-clara talboys looking at [him]173-robert with [her]256-clara talboys bright brown eyes . Again [he]173-robert heard that solemn question : "[173-robert] Shall [you]173-robert or [I]0-i find [[my]0-i brother]6319-my brother 's murderer ? " And [he]173-robert was in [Essex]2-essex ; in [[the little village]6610-the little village from which [he]173-robert firmly believed [George Talboys]181-george talboys had never departed]6611-the little village from which he firmly believed george talboys had never departed . [He]173-robert was on the spot at which all record of [[his]173-robert friend]4909-his friend 's life ended as suddenly as a story ends when [the reader]6613-the reader shuts the book . And could [he]173-robert withdraw now from the investigation in which [he]173-robert found [himself]173-robert involved ? Could [he]173-robert stop now ? For any consideration ? No ; a thousand times no ! Not with the image of that grief - stricken face imprinted on [his]173-robert mind . Not with the accents of that earnest appeal ringing on [his]173-robert ear . [Robert]173-robert left [Audley]150-lady audley the next morning by [an early train]2088-an early train , and reached [Shoreditch]70-shoreditch a little after nine o'clock . [He]173-robert did not return to [[his]173-robert chambers]4865-his chambers , but called [a cab]6454-a cab and drove straight to [Crescent Villas]88-crescent villas , West [Brompton]4-brompton . [He]173-robert knew that [he]173-robert should fail in finding [the lady [he]173-robert went to seek at [this address]6618-this address , as [[his]173-robert uncle]4872-his uncle had failed a few months before]6617-the lady he went to seek at this address , as his uncle had failed a few months before , but [he]173-robert thought it possible to obtain some clew to [[the schoolmistress]6620-the schoolmistress ' new residence]6621-the schoolmistress ' new residence , in spite of [Sir Michael]146-sir michael 's ill - success . "[192-mrs. vincent] [Mrs. Vincent]192-mrs. vincent was in a dying state , according to the telegraphic message , " [Robert]173-robert thought . "[192-mrs. vincent] If [I]0-i do find [her]192-mrs. vincent , [I]0-i shall at least succeed in discovering whether that message was genuine . " [He]173-robert found [Crescent Villas]88-crescent villas after some difficulty . [The houses]2124-the houses were large , but [they]2124-the houses lay half imbedded among the chaos of brick and rising mortar around [them]2124-the houses . [New terraces]6623-new terraces , [new streets]6624-new streets , [new squares]6625-new squares led away into hopeless masses of stone and plaster on every side . [The roads]6626-the roads were sticky with damp clay , which clogged the wheels of [the cab]2522-the cab and buried the fetlocks of the horse . The desolations — that awful aspect of incompleteness and discomfort which pervades [a new and unfinished neighborhood]6628-a new and unfinished neighborhood — had set its dismal seal upon [the surrounding streets which had arisen about and intrenched [Crescent Villas]88-crescent villas]6629-the surrounding streets which had arisen about and intrenched crescent villas ; and [Robert]173-robert wasted forty minutes by [his]173-robert watch , and an hour and a quarter by [the cabman]1419-the cabman 's reckoning , in driving up and down [uninhabited streets]6631-uninhabited streets and [terraces]6632-terraces , trying to find [the Villas]6633-the villas ; whose chimney - tops were frowning down upon [him]173-robert black and venerable , amid groves of virgin plaster , undimmed by time or smoke . But having at last succeeded in reaching [his]173-robert destination , [Mr. Audley]173-robert alighted from [the cab]2522-the cab , directed [the driver]2351-the driver to wait for [him]173-robert at a certain corner , and set out upon [his]173-robert voyage of discovery . "[192-mrs. vincent] If [I]0-i were [a distinguished Q.C.]2702-a distinguished q.c. , [I]0-i could not do this sort of thing , " [he]0-i thought ; "[192-mrs. vincent] [my]0-i time would be worth a guinea or so a minute , and [I]0-i should be retained in the great case of [Hoggs vs. Boggs]281-hoggs vs. boggs , going forward this very day before a special jury at [Westminster Hall]90-westminster hall . As it is , [I]0-i can afford to be patient . " [He]0-i inquired for [Mrs. Vincent]192-mrs. vincent at the number which [Mr. Dawson]151-mr. dawson had given [him]0-i . [The maid who opened the door]6636-the maid who opened the door had never heard [that lady]499-that lady 's name ; but after going to inquire of [[her]6636-the maid who opened the door mistress]1497-her mistress , [she]6636-the maid who opened the door returned to tell [Robert]173-robert that [Mrs. Vincent]192-mrs. vincent had lived [there]374-there , but that [she]2703-missus had left two months before [the present occupants]6640-the present occupants had entered [the house]388-the house , "[2703-missus] and [missus]2703-missus has been [here]4776-here fifteen months , " [the girl]753-the girl added emphatically . "[2703-missus] But [you]2705-you can not tell where [she]2703-missus went on leaving [here]4776-here ? " [Robert]173-robert asked , despondingly . "[2705-you] No , [sir]900-sir ; [missus]2703-missus says [she]2703-missus believes [the lady]673-the lady failed , and that [she]2703-missus left sudden like , and did n't want [her]2703-missus address to be known in [the neighborhood]504-the neighborhood . " [Mr. Audley]173-robert felt [himself]173-robert at a standstill once more . If [Mrs. Vincent]192-mrs. vincent had left [the place]385-the place in debt , [she]192-mrs. vincent had no doubt scrupulously concealed [her]192-mrs. vincent whereabouts . There was little hope , then , of learning [her]192-mrs. vincent address from [the tradespeople]6644-the tradespeople ; and yet , on the other hand , it was just possible that [some of [[her]192-mrs. vincent sharpest creditors]6646-her sharpest creditors]6645-some of her sharpest creditors might have made it [their]6645-some of her sharpest creditors business to discover [[the defaulter]6647-the defaulter 's retreat]6648-the defaulter 's retreat . [He]173-robert looked about [him]173-robert for [the nearest shops]6649-the nearest shops , and found [[a baker]6650-a baker 's , [a stationer]6652-a stationer 's]6651-a baker 's , a stationer 's , and [a fruiterer]6653-a fruiterer 's a few paces from [the Crescent]91-the crescent . [Three empty - looking , pretentious shops]6654-three empty - looking , pretentious shops , with plate - glass windows , and a hopeless air of gentility . [He]173-robert stopped at [the baker]2115-the baker 's , who called [himself]173-robert [a pastrycook and confectioner]6656-a pastrycook and confectioner , and exhibited some specimens of petrified sponge - cake in glass bottles , and some highly - glazed tarts , covered with green gauze . "[2711-she] [She]2711-she must have bought bread , " [Robert]173-robert thought , as [he]173-robert deliberated before [[the baker]2115-the baker 's shop]6658-the baker 's shop ; "[2711-she] and [she]2711-she is likely to have bought it at [the handiest place]2712-the handiest place . [I]0-i 'll try [the baker]2115-the baker . " [The baker]2115-the baker was standing behind [his]2115-the baker counter , disputing the items of a bill with [a shabby - genteel young woman]6660-a shabby - genteel young woman . [He]2115-the baker did not trouble [himself]2115-the baker to attend to [Robert Audley]173-robert until [he]2115-the baker had settled the dispute , but [he]2115-the baker looked up as [he]2115-the baker was receipting the bill , and asked [the barrister]955-the barrister what [he]2115-the baker pleased to want . "[2115-the baker] Can [you]2115-the baker tell [me]0-i the address of [a Mrs. Vincent]192-mrs. vincent , who lived at [No . 9 Crescent Villas]92-no . 9 crescent villas a year and a half ago ? " [Mr. Audley]173-robert inquired , mildly . "[192-mrs. vincent] No , [I]0-i ca n't , " answered [the baker]2115-the baker , growing very red in the face , and speaking in an unnecessarily loud voice ; "[0-i] and what 's more , [I]0-i wish [I]0-i could . [That lady]499-that lady owes [me]0-i upward of eleven pound for bread , and it 's rather more than [I]0-i can afford to lose . If [anybody]706-anybody can tell [me]0-i where [she]499-that lady lives , [I]0-i shall be much obliged to 'em for so doing . " [Robert Audley]173-robert shrugged [his]173-robert shoulders and wished [the man]634-the man good - morning . [He]173-robert felt that [his]173-robert discovery of [the lady]673-the lady 's whereabouts would involve more trouble than [he]173-robert had expected . [He]173-robert might have looked for [Mrs. Vincent]192-mrs. vincent 's name in [the Post - Office]6665-the post - office directory , but [he]173-robert thought it scarcely likely that [a lady who was on such uncomfortable terms with [[her]499-that lady creditors]6667-her creditors , would afford [them]6667-her creditors so easy a means of ascertaining [her]499-that lady residence]6666-a lady who was on such uncomfortable terms with her creditors , would afford them so easy a means of ascertaining her residence . "[706-anybody] If [the baker]2115-the baker ca n't find [her]499-that lady , how should [I]0-i find [her]499-that lady ? " [he]0-i thought , despairingly . "[2115-the baker] If [a resolute , sanguine , active and energetic creature]2717-a resolute , sanguine , active and energetic creature , such as [the baker]2115-the baker , fail to achieve this business , how can [a lymphatic wretch like [me]0-i]2719-a lymphatic wretch like me hope to accomplish it ? Where [the baker]2115-the baker has been defeated , what preposterous folly it would be for [me]0-i to try to succeed . " [Mr. Audley]173-robert abandoned [himself]173-robert to these gloomy reflections as [he]173-robert walked slowly back toward [the corner at which [he]173-robert had left [the cab]2522-the cab]6668-the corner at which he had left the cab . About half - way between [[the baker]2115-the baker 's shop]6658-the baker 's shop and [this corner]6672-this corner [he]173-robert was arrested by hearing [a woman]503-a woman 's step close at [his]173-robert side , and [a woman]503-a woman 's voice asking [him]173-robert to stop . [He]173-robert turned and found [himself]173-robert face to face with [the shabbily - dressed woman whom [he]173-robert had left settling [her]6675-the shabbily - dressed woman whom he had left settling her account with the baker account with [the baker]2115-the baker]6675-the shabbily - dressed woman whom he had left settling her account with the baker . "[6062-ma'am] Eh , what ? " [he]173-robert asked , vaguely . "[6062-ma'am] Can [I]0-i do anything for [you]2721-you , [ma'am]6062-ma'am ? Does [Mrs. Vincent]192-mrs. vincent owe [you]2721-you money , too ? " "[900-sir] Yes , [sir]900-sir , " [the woman]5008-the woman answered , with a semi - genteel manner which corresponded with the shabby gentility of [her]5008-the woman dress . "[900-sir] [Mrs. Vincent]192-mrs. vincent is in [my]0-i debt ; but it is n't that , [sir]900-sir . [I]0-i — [I]0-i want to know , please , what [your]900-sir business may be with [her]192-mrs. vincent — because — because — " "[900-sir] [You]900-sir can give [me]0-i [her]192-mrs. vincent address if [you]900-sir choose , [ma'am]6062-ma'am . That 's what [you]900-sir mean to say , is n't it ? " [The woman]5008-the woman hesitated a little , looking rather suspiciously at [Robert]173-robert . "[900-sir] [You]900-sir 're not connected with — with the tally business , are [you]900-sir , [sir]900-sir ? " [she]5008-the woman asked , after considering [Mr. Audley]173-robert 's personal appearance for a few moments . "[900-sir] The what , [ma'am]6062-ma'am ? " asked [the young barrister]5094-the young barrister , staring aghast at [[his]5094-the young barrister questioner]6680-his questioner . "[900-sir] [I]0-i 'm sure [I]0-i beg [your]900-sir pardon , [sir]900-sir , " exclaimed [the little woman]6681-the little woman , seeing that [she]6681-the little woman had made some awful mistake . "[900-sir] [I]0-i thought [you]900-sir might have been , [you]900-sir know . [Some of [the gentlemen who collect for the tally shops]2730-the gentlemen who collect for the tally shops]2729-some of the gentlemen who collect for the tally shops do dress so very handsome ; and [I]0-i know [Mrs. Vincent]192-mrs. vincent owes a good deal of money . " [Robert Audley]173-robert laid [his]173-robert hand upon [the speaker]4906-the speaker 's arm . "[0-i] [[My]0-i dear madam]2731-my dear madam , " [he]0-i said , "[0-i] [I]0-i want to know nothing of [Mrs. Vincent]192-mrs. vincent 's affairs . So far from being concerned in what [you]2731-my dear madam call the tally business , [I]0-i have not the remotest idea what [you]2731-my dear madam mean by that expression . [You]2731-my dear madam may mean a political conspiracy ; [you]2731-my dear madam may mean some new species of taxes . [Mrs. Vincent]192-mrs. vincent does not owe [me]0-i any money , however badly [she]192-mrs. vincent may stand with [that awful - looking baker]2732-that awful - looking baker . [I]0-i never saw [her]192-mrs. vincent in [my]0-i life ; but [I]0-i wish to see [her]192-mrs. vincent to - day for the simple purpose of asking [her]192-mrs. vincent a few very plain questions about [a young lady who once resided in [[her]192-mrs. vincent house]2734-her house]2733-a young lady who once resided in her house . If [you]2731-my dear madam know where [Mrs. Vincent]192-mrs. vincent lives and will give [me]0-i [her]192-mrs. vincent address , [you]2731-my dear madam will be doing [me]0-i a great favor . " [He]900-sir took out [his]900-sir card - case and handed a card to [the woman]5008-the woman , who examined the slip of pasteboard anxiously before [she]5008-the woman spoke again . "[2731-my dear madam] [I]0-i 'm sure [you]2731-my dear madam look and speak like [a gentleman]4644-a gentleman , [sir]900-sir , " [she]5008-the woman said , after a brief pause , "[2731-my dear madam] and [I]0-i hope [you]2731-my dear madam will excuse [me]0-i if [I]0-i 've seemed mistrustful like ; but poor [Mrs. Vincent]192-mrs. vincent has had dreadful difficulties , and [I]0-i 'm [the only person hereabouts that [she]192-mrs. vincent 's trusted with [her]192-mrs. vincent addresses]2737-the only person hereabouts that she 's trusted with her addresses . [I]0-i 'm [a dressmaker]2738-a dressmaker , [sir]900-sir , and [I]0-i 've worked for [her]192-mrs. vincent for upward of six years , and though [she]192-mrs. vincent does n't pay [me]0-i regular , [you]2731-my dear madam know , [sir]900-sir , [she]192-mrs. vincent gives [me]0-i a little money on account now and then , and [I]0-i get on as well as [I]0-i can . [I]0-i may tell [you]900-sir where [she]192-mrs. vincent lives , then , [sir]900-sir ? [You]900-sir have n't deceived [me]0-i , have [you]900-sir ? " "[900-sir] On [my]0-i honor , no . " "[900-sir] Well , then [sir]900-sir , " said [the dressmaker]6684-the dressmaker , dropping [her]6684-the dressmaker voice as if [she]6684-the dressmaker thought the pavement beneath [her]6684-the dressmaker feet , or the iron railings before [the houses by [her]6684-the dressmaker side]6685-the houses by her side , might have ears to hear [her]6684-the dressmaker , "[900-sir] it 's [Acacia Cottage]93-acacia cottage , [Peckham Grove]94-peckham grove . [I]0-i took a dress [there]374-there yesterday for [Mrs. Vincent]192-mrs. vincent . " "[0-i] Thank [you]900-sir , " said [Robert]173-robert , writing the address in [his]173-robert pocketbook . "[900-sir] [I]0-i am very much obliged to [you]900-sir , and [you]900-sir may rely upon it , [Mrs. Vincent]192-mrs. vincent shall not suffer any inconvenience through [me]0-i . " [He]173-robert lifted [his]173-robert hat , bowed to [the little dressmaker]6686-the little dressmaker , and turned back to [the cab]2522-the cab . "[192-mrs. vincent] [I]0-i have beaten [the baker]2115-the baker , at any rate , " [he]173-robert thought . "[2115-the baker] Now for the second stage , traveling backward , in [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady 's life . " The drive from [Brompton]4-brompton to [the Peckham Road]6688-the peckham road was a very long one , and between [Crescent Villas]88-crescent villas and [Acacia Cottage]93-acacia cottage , [Robert Audley]173-robert had ample leisure for reflection . [He]173-robert thought of [[his]173-robert uncle]4872-his uncle lying weak and ill in [the oak - room at [Audley Court]1-audley court]6690-the oak - room at audley court . [He]173-robert thought of the beautiful blue eyes watching [Sir Michael]146-sir michael 's slumbers ; the soft , white hands tending on [his]173-robert waking moments ; the low musical voice soothing [his]173-robert loneliness , cheering and consoling [his]173-robert declining years . What a pleasant picture it might have been , had [he]173-robert been able to look upon it ignorantly , seeing no more than [others]5097-others saw , looking no further than [a stranger]1506-a stranger could look . But with the black cloud which [he]173-robert saw brooding over it , what an arch mockery , what a diabolical delusion it seemed . [Peckham Grove]94-peckham grove — pleasant enough in the summer - time — has rather a dismal aspect upon a dull February day , when the trees are bare and leafless , and [the little gardens]6693-the little gardens desolate . [Acacia Cottage]93-acacia cottage bore small token of the fitness of [its]93-acacia cottage nomenclature , and faced [the road]1231-the road with [its]93-acacia cottage stuccoed walls sheltered only by a couple of attenuated poplars . But it announced that [it]93-acacia cottage was [Acacia Cottage]93-acacia cottage by means of a small brass plate upon one of the gate - posts , which was sufficient indication for [the sharp - sighted cabman]6695-the sharp - sighted cabman , who dropped [Mr. Audley]173-robert upon the pavement before the little gate . [Acacia Cottage]93-acacia cottage was much lower in the social scale than [Crescent Villas]88-crescent villas , and [the small maid]6696-the small maid - servant who came to the low wooden gate and parleyed with [Mr. Audley]173-robert , was evidently well used to the encounter of [relentless creditors]6697-relentless creditors across [the same feeble barricade]6698-the same feeble barricade . [She]6696-the small maid murmured the familiar domestic fiction of the uncertainty regarding [[her]6696-the small maid mistress]1497-her mistress 's whereabouts ; and told [Robert]173-robert that if [he]173-robert would please to state [his]173-robert name and business , [she]6696-the small maid would go and see if [Mrs. Vincent]192-mrs. vincent was at [home]479-home . [Mr. Audley]173-robert produced a card , and wrote in pencil under [his]173-robert own name : "[0-i] a connection of [the late Miss Graham]152-miss graham . " [He]173-robert directed [the small servant]6701-the small servant to carry [his]173-robert card to [[her]6696-the small maid mistress]1497-her mistress , and quietly awaited the result . [The servant]1203-the servant returned in about five minutes with the key of the gate . [[Her]6696-the small maid mistress]1497-her mistress was at [home]479-home , [she]1497-her mistress told [Robert]173-robert as [she]1497-her mistress admitted [him]173-robert , and would be happy to see [the gentleman]4994-the gentleman . [The square parlor into which [Robert]173-robert was ushered]6707-the square parlor into which robert was ushered bore in every scrap of ornament , in every article of furniture , the unmistakable stamp of that species of poverty which is most comfortless because it is never stationary . [The mechanic who furnishes [[his]173-robert tiny sitting - room with half - a - dozen cane chairs]6709-his tiny sitting - room with half - a - dozen cane chairs]6708-the mechanic who furnishes his tiny sitting - room with half - a - dozen cane chairs , a Pembroke table , a Dutch clock , a tiny looking - glass , [a crockery shepherd and shepherdess]6710-a crockery shepherd and shepherdess , and a set of gaudily - japanned iron tea - trays , makes the most of [his]173-robert limited possessions , and generally contrives to get some degree of comfort out of them ; but [the lady who loses the handsome furniture of [the house]388-the house]6711-the lady who loses the handsome furniture of the house [she]6711-the lady who loses the handsome furniture of the house is compelled to abandon and encamps in [some smaller habitation with the shabby remainder — bought in by [some merciful friend]6714-some merciful friend at the sale of [her]6711-the lady who loses the handsome furniture of the house effects]6713-some smaller habitation with the shabby remainder — bought in by some merciful friend at the sale of her effects — carries with [her]6711-the lady who loses the handsome furniture of the house an aspect of genteel desolation and tawdry misery not easily to be paralleled in wretchedness by any other phase which poverty can assume . [The room which [Robert Audley]173-robert surveyed]6715-the room which robert audley surveyed was furnished with the shabbier scraps snatched from [the ruin which had overtaken [the imprudent schoolmistress]6717-the imprudent schoolmistress in [Crescent Villas]88-crescent villas]6716-the ruin which had overtaken the imprudent schoolmistress in crescent villas . A cottage piano , a chiffonier , six sizes too large for [the room]595-the room , and dismally gorgeous in gilded moldings that were chipped and broken ; a slim - legged card - table , placed in the post of honor , formed the principal pieces of furniture . A threadbare patch of Brussels carpet covered the center of [the room]595-the room , and formed an oasis of roses and lilies upon [a desert of shabby green drugget]6720-a desert of shabby green drugget . Knitted curtains shaded the windows , in which hung wire baskets of horrible - looking plants of the cactus species , that grew downward , like some demented class of vegetation , whose prickly and spider - like members had a fancy for standing on [their]6711-the lady who loses the handsome furniture of the house heads . The green - baize covered card - table was adorned with gaudily - bound annuals or books of beauty , placed at right angles ; but [Robert Audley]173-robert did not avail [himself]173-robert of these literary distractions . [He]173-robert seated [himself]173-robert upon one of the rickety chairs , and waited patiently for the advent of [the schoolmistress]6620-the schoolmistress . [He]173-robert could hear the hum of half - a - dozen voices in [a room near [him]173-robert]6722-a room near him , and the jingling harmonies of a set of variations in Deh Conte , upon a piano , whose every wire was evidently in the last stage of attenuation . [He]173-robert had waited for about a quarter of an hour , when the door was opened , and [a lady]1799-a lady , very much dressed , and with the setting sunlight of faded beauty upon [her]1799-a lady face , entered [the room]595-the room . "[152-miss graham] [Mr. Audley]173-robert , [I]0-i presume , " [she]1799-a lady said , motioning to [Robert]173-robert to reseat [himself]173-robert , and placing [herself]1799-a lady in an easy - chair opposite to [him]173-robert . "[173-robert] [You]173-robert will pardon [me]0-i , [I]0-i hope , for detaining [you]173-robert so long ; [my]0-i duties — " "[0-i] It is [I]0-i who should apologize for intruding upon [you]0-i , " [Robert]173-robert answered , politely ; "[0-i] but [my]0-i motive for calling upon [you]0-i is a very serious one , and must plead [my]0-i excuse . [You]0-i remember [the lady whose name [I]0-i wrote upon [my]0-i card]2746-the lady whose name i wrote upon my card ? " "[2746-the lady whose name i wrote upon my card] Perfectly . " "[2746-the lady whose name i wrote upon my card] May [I]0-i ask how much [you]173-robert know of [that lady]499-that lady 's history since [her]499-that lady departure from [[your]173-robert house]6183-your house ? " "[173-robert] Very little . In point of fact , scarcely anything at all . [Miss Graham]152-miss graham , [I]0-i believe , obtained a situation in [the family of [a surgeon resident in [Essex]2-essex]2750-a surgeon resident in essex]2749-the family of a surgeon resident in essex . Indeed , it was [I]0-i who recommended [her]152-miss graham to [that gentleman]4886-that gentleman . [I]0-i have never heard from [her]152-miss graham since [she]152-miss graham left [me]0-i . " "[0-i] But [you]173-robert have communicated with [her]152-miss graham ? " [Robert]173-robert asked , eagerly . "[173-robert] No , indeed . " [Mr. Audley]173-robert was silent for a few moments , the shadow of gloomy thoughts gathering darkly on [his]173-robert face . "[173-robert] May [I]0-i ask if [you]173-robert sent a telegraphic dispatch to [Miss Graham]152-miss graham early in last September , stating that [you]173-robert were dangerously ill , and that [you]173-robert wished to see [her]152-miss graham ? " [Mrs. Vincent]192-mrs. vincent smiled at [[her]192-mrs. vincent visitor]6725-her visitor 's question . "[173-robert] [I]0-i had no occasion to send such a message , " [she]192-mrs. vincent said ; "[0-i] [I]0-i have never been seriously ill in [my]0-i life . " [Robert Audley]173-robert paused before [he]173-robert asked any further questions , and scrawled a few penciled words in [his]173-robert note - book . "[0-i] If [I]0-i ask [you]0-i a few straightforward questions about [Miss Lucy Graham]152-miss graham , [madam]2752-madam , " [he]173-robert said . "[2752-madam] Will [you]0-i do [me]0-i the favor to answer [them]2753-them without asking [my]0-i motive in making such inquiries ? " "[0-i] Most certainly , " replied [Mrs. Vincent]192-mrs. vincent . "[0-i] [I]0-i know nothing to [Miss Graham]152-miss graham 's disadvantage , and have no justification for making a mystery of the little [I]0-i do know . " "[0-i] Then will [you]0-i tell [me]0-i at what date [the young lady]5100-the young lady first came to [you]0-i ? " [Mrs. Vincent]192-mrs. vincent smiled and shook [her]192-mrs. vincent head . [She]192-mrs. vincent had a pretty smile — the frank smile of [a woman who had been admired , and who has too long felt the certainty of being able to please , to be utterly subjugated by any worldly misfortune]6726-a woman who had been admired , and who has too long felt the certainty of being able to please , to be utterly subjugated by any worldly misfortune . "[0-i] It 's not the least use to ask [me]0-i , [Mr. Audley]173-robert , " [she]192-mrs. vincent said . "[173-robert] [I]0-i 'm [the most careless creature in [the world]519-the world]2755-the most careless creature in the world ; [I]0-i never did , and never could remember dates , though [I]0-i do all in [my]0-i power to impress upon [[my]0-i girls]2757-my girls how important it is for [their]2757-my girls future welfare that [they]2757-my girls should know when [William the Conqueror]251-billy began to reign , and all that kind of thing . But [I]0-i have n't the remotest idea when [Miss Graham]152-miss graham came to [me]0-i , although [I]0-i know it was ages ago , for it was the very summer [I]0-i had [my]0-i peach - colored silk . But [we]2758-we must consult [Tonks]282-miss tonks — [Tonks]282-miss tonks is sure to be right . " [Robert Audley]173-robert wondered who or what [Tonks]282-miss tonks could be ; a diary , perhaps , or a memorandum - book — [some obscure rival of [Letsome]283-letsome]6727-some obscure rival of letsome . [Mrs. Vincent]192-mrs. vincent rung the bell , which was answered by [the maid - servant who had admitted [Robert]173-robert]6728-the maid - servant who had admitted robert . "[282-miss tonks] Ask [Miss Tonks]282-miss tonks to come to [me]0-i , " [she]192-mrs. vincent said . "[282-miss tonks] [I]0-i want to see [her]282-miss tonks particularly . " In less than five minutes [Miss Tonks]282-miss tonks made [her]282-miss tonks appearance . [She]282-miss tonks was wintry and rather frost - bitten in aspect , and seemed to bring cold air in the scanty folds of [her]282-miss tonks somber merino dress . [She]282-miss tonks was no age in particular , and looked as if [she]282-miss tonks had never been younger , and would never grow older , but would remain forever working backward and forward in [her]282-miss tonks narrow groove , like some self - feeding machine for the instruction of [young ladies]6729-young ladies . "[282-miss tonks] [Tonks]282-miss tonks , [[my]0-i dear]4626-my dear , " said [Mrs. Vincent]192-mrs. vincent , without ceremony , "[282-miss tonks] [this gentleman]1183-this gentleman is [a relative of [Miss Graham]152-miss graham 's]2761-a relative of miss graham 's . Do [you]282-miss tonks remember how long it is since [she]282-miss tonks came to [us]2762-us at [Crescent Villas]88-crescent villas ? " "[282-miss tonks] [She]282-miss tonks came in August , 1854 , " answered [Miss Tonks]282-miss tonks ; "[282-miss tonks] [I]0-i think it was the eighteenth of August , but [I]0-i 'm not quite sure that it was n't the seventeenth . [I]0-i know it was on a Tuesday . " "[0-i] Thank [you]282-miss tonks , [Tonks]282-miss tonks ; [you]282-miss tonks are [a most invaluable darling]2763-a most invaluable darling , " exclaimed [Mrs. Vincent]192-mrs. vincent , with [her]192-mrs. vincent sweetest smile . It was , perhaps , because of the invaluable nature of [Miss Tonks]282-miss tonks ' services that [she]282-miss tonks had received no remuneration whatever from [[her]282-miss tonks employer]542-her employer for the last three or four years . [Mrs. Vincent]192-mrs. vincent might have hesitated to pay from very contempt for the pitiful nature of the stipend as compared with the merits of [the teacher]6731-the teacher . "[282-miss tonks] Is there anything else that [Tonks]282-miss tonks or [I]0-i can tell [you]282-miss tonks , [Mr. Audley]173-robert ? " asked [the schoolmistress]6620-the schoolmistress . "[282-miss tonks] [Tonks]282-miss tonks has a far better memory than [I]0-i have . " "[282-miss tonks] Can [you]282-miss tonks tell [me]0-i where [Miss Graham]152-miss graham came from when [she]152-miss graham entered [[your]282-miss tonks household]2764-your household ? " [Robert]173-robert inquired . "[282-miss tonks] Not very precisely , " answered [Mrs. Vincent]192-mrs. vincent . "[282-miss tonks] [I]0-i have a vague notion that [Miss Graham]152-miss graham said something about coming from [the seaside]2765-the seaside , but [she]152-miss graham did n't say where , or if [she]152-miss graham did [I]0-i have forgotten it . [Tonks]282-miss tonks , did [Miss Graham]152-miss graham tell [you]282-miss tonks where [she]152-miss graham came from ? " "[152-miss graham] Oh , no ! " replied [Miss Tonks]282-miss tonks , shaking [her]282-miss tonks grim little head significantly . "[152-miss graham] [Miss Graham]152-miss graham told [me]0-i nothing ; [she]152-miss graham was too clever for that . [She]152-miss graham knows how to keep [her]152-miss graham own secrets , in spite of [her]152-miss graham innocent ways and [her]152-miss graham curly hair , " [Miss Tonks]282-miss tonks added , spitefully . "[152-miss graham] [You]282-miss tonks think [she]152-miss graham had secrets ? " [Robert]173-robert asked , rather eagerly . "[152-miss graham] [I]0-i know [she]152-miss graham had , " replied [Miss Tonks]282-miss tonks , with frosty decision ; "[152-miss graham] all manner of secrets . [I]0-i would n't have engaged such a person as [junior teacher in [a respectable school]2767-a respectable school]2766-junior teacher in a respectable school , without so much as one word of recommendation from [any living creature]6108-any living creature . " "[282-miss tonks] [You]282-miss tonks had no reference , then , from [Miss Graham]152-miss graham ? " asked [Robert]173-robert , addressing [Mrs. Vincent]192-mrs. vincent . "[282-miss tonks] No , " [the lady]673-the lady answered , with some little embarrassment ; "[0-i] [I]0-i waived that . [Miss Graham]152-miss graham waived the question of salary ; [I]0-i could not do less than waive the question of reference . [She]152-miss graham quarreled with [[her]152-miss graham papa]2769-her papa , [she]152-miss graham told [me]0-i , and [she]152-miss graham wanted to find a home away from [all the people [she]152-miss graham had ever known]2770-all the people she had ever known . [She]152-miss graham wished to keep [herself]152-miss graham quite separate from [these people]2771-these people . [She]152-miss graham had endured so much , [she]152-miss graham said , young as [she]152-miss graham was , and [she]152-miss graham wanted to escape from [her]152-miss graham troubles . How could [I]0-i press [her]152-miss graham for a reference under these circumstances , especially when [I]0-i saw that [she]152-miss graham was [a perfect lady]2772-a perfect lady . [You]2773-you know that [Lucy Graham]152-miss graham was [a perfect lady]2772-a perfect lady , [Tonks]282-miss tonks , and it is very unkind for [you]2773-you to say such cruel things about [my]0-i taking [her]152-miss graham without a reference . " "[2773-you] When [people]572-people make favorites , [they]572-people are apt to be deceived in [them]572-people , " [Miss Tonks]282-miss tonks answered , with icy sententiousness , and with no very perceptible relevance to the point in discussion . "[572-people] [I]0-i never made [her]152-miss graham a favorite , [you]282-miss tonks jealous [Tonks]282-miss tonks , " [Mrs. Vincent]192-mrs. vincent answered , reproachfully . "[282-miss tonks] [I]0-i never said [she]152-miss graham was as useful as [you]282-miss tonks , [dear]5809-dear . [You]2773-you know [I]0-i never did . " "[0-i] Oh , no ! " replied [Miss Tonks]282-miss tonks , with a chilling accent , "[282-miss tonks] [you]282-miss tonks never said [she]152-miss graham was useful . [She]152-miss graham was only [ornamental]2777-ornamental ; a person to be shown off to [visitors]400-visitors , and to play fantasias on the drawing - room piano . " "[152-miss graham] Then [you]282-miss tonks can give [me]0-i no clew to [Miss Graham]152-miss graham 's previous history ? " [Robert]173-robert asked , looking from [the schoolmistress]6620-the schoolmistress to [[her]6620-the schoolmistress teacher]6735-her teacher . [He]173-robert saw very clearly that [Miss Tonks]282-miss tonks bore an envious grudge against [Lucy Graham]152-miss graham — a grudge which even the lapse of time had not healed . "[282-miss tonks] If [this woman]557-this woman knows anything to [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady 's detriment , [she]557-this woman will tell it , " [he]0-i thought . "[557-this woman] [She]557-this woman will tell it only too willingly . " But [Miss Tonks]282-miss tonks appeared to know nothing whatever ; except that [Miss Graham]152-miss graham had sometimes declared [herself]152-miss graham [an ill - used creature , deceived by the baseness of [mankind]6424-mankind]6736-an ill - used creature , deceived by the baseness of mankind , and [the victim of unmerited sufferings]6738-the victim of unmerited sufferings , in the way of poverty and deprivation . Beyond this , [Miss Tonks]282-miss tonks could tell nothing ; and although [she]282-miss tonks made the most of what [she]282-miss tonks did know , [Robert]173-robert soon sounded the depth of [her]282-miss tonks small stock of information . "[557-this woman] [I]0-i have only one more question to ask , " [he]0-i said at last . "[0-i] It is this : Did [Miss Graham]152-miss graham leave any books or knick - knacks , or any other kind of property whatever , behind [her]152-miss graham , when [she]152-miss graham left [[your]2781-your establishment]2782-your establishment ? " "[152-miss graham] Not to [my]0-i knowledge , " [Mrs. Vincent]192-mrs. vincent replied . "[152-miss graham] Yes , " cried [Miss Tonks]282-miss tonks , sharply . "[152-miss graham] [She]152-miss graham did leave something . [She]152-miss graham left a box . It 's up - stairs in [[my]0-i room]6080-my room . [I]0-i 've got an old bonnet in it . Would [you]0-i like to see the box ? " [she]282-miss tonks asked , addressing [Robert]173-robert . "[0-i] If [you]0-i will be so good as to allow [me]0-i , " [he]0-i answered , "[0-i] [I]0-i should very much like to see it . " "[0-i] [I]0-i 'll fetch it down , " said [Miss Tonks]282-miss tonks . "[0-i] It 's not very big . " [She]282-miss tonks ran out of [the room]595-the room before [Mr. Audley]173-robert had time to utter any polite remonstrance . "[0-i] How pitiless [these women]2784-these women are to [each other]4890-each other , " [he]0-i thought , while [the teacher]6731-the teacher was absent . "[0-i] [This one]2209-this one knows intuitively that there is some danger to the other lurking beneath [my]0-i questions . [She]2209-this one sniffs the coming trouble to [[her]2209-this one fellow female creature]2787-her fellow female creature , and rejoices in it , and would take any pains to help [me]0-i . What [a world]2788-a world [it]2789-it is , and how [these women]2784-these women take life out of [her]2209-this one hands . [Helen Maldon]238-helen maldon , [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , [Clara Talboys]256-clara talboys , and now [Miss Tonks]282-miss tonks — [all womankind]2791-all womankind from beginning to end . " [Miss Tonks]282-miss tonks re - entered while [the young barrister]5094-the young barrister was meditating upon the infamy of [her]282-miss tonks sex . [She]282-miss tonks carried a dilapidated paper - covered bonnet - box , which [she]282-miss tonks submitted to [Robert]173-robert 's inspection . [Mr. Audley]173-robert knelt down to examine the scraps of railway labels and addresses which were pasted here and there upon the box . [It]6742-it had been battered upon a great many [different lines of railway]6743-different lines of railway , and had evidently traveled considerably . Many of the labels had been torn off , but fragments of some of them remained , and upon one yellow scrap of paper [Robert]173-robert read the letters , [TURI]284-turi . "[282-miss tonks] The box has been to [Italy]9-italy , " [he]173-robert thought . "[282-miss tonks] Those are the first four letters of the word [Turin]285-turin , and the label is a foreign one . " The only direction which had not been either defaced or torn away was the last , which bore the name of [Miss Graham]152-miss graham , passenger to [London]3-london . Looking very closely at this label , [Mr. Audley]173-robert discovered that it had been pasted over another . "[285-turin] Will [you]282-miss tonks be so good as to let [me]0-i have a little water and a piece of sponge ? " [he]0-i said . "[282-miss tonks] [I]0-i want to get off this upper label . Believe [me]0-i that [I]0-i am justified in what [I]0-i am doing . " [Miss Tonks]282-miss tonks ran out of [the room]595-the room and returned immediately with a basin of water and a sponge . "[0-i] Shall [I]0-i take off the label ? " [she]282-miss tonks asked . "[0-i] No , thank [you]282-miss tonks , " [Robert]173-robert answered , coldly . "[282-miss tonks] [I]0-i can do it very well [myself]0-i . " [He]173-robert damped the upper label several times before [he]173-robert could loosen the edges of the paper ; but after two or three careful attempts the moistened surface peeled off , without injury to the underneath address . [Miss Tonks]282-miss tonks could not contrive to read this address across [Robert]173-robert 's shoulder , though [she]282-miss tonks exhibited considerable dexterity in [her]282-miss tonks endeavors to accomplish that object . [Mr. Audley]173-robert repeated [his]0-i operations upon the lower label , which [he]0-i removed from the box , and placed very carefully between two blank leaves of [his]0-i pocket - book . "[0-i] [I]0-i need intrude upon [you]282-miss tonks no longer , [ladies]5997-ladies , " [he]0-i said , when [he]0-i had done this . "[5997-ladies] [I]0-i am extremely obliged to [you]282-miss tonks for having afforded [me]0-i all the information in [your]282-miss tonks power . [I]0-i wish [you]282-miss tonks good - morning . " [Mrs. Vincent]192-mrs. vincent smiled and bowed , murmuring some complacent conventionality about the delight [she]192-mrs. vincent had felt in [Mr. Audley]173-robert 's visit . [Miss Tonks]282-miss tonks , more observant , stared at the white change , which had come over [the young man]667-the young man 's face since [he]667-the young man had removed the upper label from the box . [Robert]173-robert walked slowly away from [Acacia Cottage]93-acacia cottage . "[0-i] If that which [I]0-i have found to - day is no evidence for [a jury]2793-a jury , " [he]0-i thought , "[0-i] it is surely enough to convince [[my]0-i uncle]991-my uncle that [he]991-my uncle has married [a designing and infamous woman]2795-a designing and infamous woman . " [Robert Audley]173-robert walked slowly through [the leafless grove]6746-the leafless grove , under the bare and shadowless trees in the gray February atmosphere , thinking as [he]0-i went of the discovery [he]0-i had just made . "[0-i] [I]0-i have that in [my]0-i pocket - book , " [he]0-i pondered , "[0-i] which forms the connecting link between [the woman whose death [George Talboys]181-george talboys read of in the Times newspaper]2796-the woman whose death george talboys read of in the times newspaper and the woman who rules in [[[my]0-i uncle]991-my uncle 's house]5900-my uncle 's house . The history of [Lucy Graham]152-miss graham ends abruptly on the threshold of [[Mrs. Vincent]192-mrs. vincent 's school]2799-mrs. vincent 's school . [She]152-miss graham entered [that establishment]2800-that establishment in August , 1854 . [The schoolmistress]6620-the schoolmistress and [[her]6620-the schoolmistress assistant]2802-her assistant can tell [me]0-i this but [they]2803-they can not tell [me]0-i whence [she]152-miss graham came . [They]2803-they can not give [me]0-i one clew to the secrets of [her]152-miss graham life from the day of [her]152-miss graham birth until the day [she]152-miss graham entered [that house]6322-that house . [I]0-i can go no further in this backward investigation of [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady 's antecedents . What am [I]0-i to do , then , if [I]0-i mean to keep [my]0-i promise to [Clara Talboys]256-clara talboys ? " [He]0-i walked on for a few paces revolving this question in [his]0-i mind , with a darker shadow than the shadows of the gathering winter twilight on [his]0-i face , and a heavy oppression of mingled sorrow and dread weighing down [his]0-i heart . "[0-i] [My]0-i duty is clear enough , " [he]0-i thought—"not[0-i] the less clear because it leads [me]0-i step by step , carrying ruin and desolation with [me]0-i , to [the home [I]0-i love]2806-the home i love . [I]0-i must begin at the other end — [I]0-i must begin at the other end , and discover the history of [Helen Talboys]179-helen talboys from the hour of [George]181-george talboys 's departure until the day of the funeral in [[the churchyard]898-the churchyard at [Ventnor]26-ventnor]1101-the churchyard at ventnor . " [Mr. Audley]173-robert hailed [a passing hansom]6747-a passing hansom , and drove back to [[his]0-i chambers]4865-his chambers . [He]0-i reached [Figtree Court]14-figtree court in time to write a few lines to [Miss Talboys]256-clara talboys , and to post [his]0-i letter at [St. Martin's - le - Grand]95-st. martin's - le - grand off before six o'clock . "[2810-you] It will save [me]0-i a day , " [he]0-i thought , as [he]0-i drove to [the General Post Office]6749-the general post office with this brief epistle . [He]0-i had written to [Clara Talboys]256-clara talboys to inquire the name of [the little seaport town in which [George]181-george talboys]6750-the little seaport town in which george had met [Captain Maldon]183-captain maldon and [[his]183-captain maldon daughter]556-his daughter ; for in spite of the intimacy between [the two young men]4962-the two young men , [Robert Audley]173-robert knew very few particulars of [[his]0-i friend]4909-his friend 's brief married life . From the hour in which [George Talboys]181-george talboys had read the announcement of [[his]183-captain maldon wife]554-his wife 's death in the columns of the Times , [he]0-i had avoided all mention of the tender history which had been so cruelly broken , the familiar record which had been so darkly blotted out . There was so much that was painful in that brief story ! There was such bitter self - reproach involved in the recollection of that desertion which must have seemed so cruel to [her]554-his wife who waited and watched at [home]479-home ! [Robert Audley]173-robert comprehended this , and [he]0-i did not wonder at [[his]0-i friend]4909-his friend 's silence . The sorrowful story had been tacitly avoided by [both]6757-both , and [Robert]173-robert was as ignorant of the unhappy history of this one year in [[his]0-i schoolfellow]6758-his schoolfellow 's life as if [they]4962-the two young men had never lived together in friendly companionship in [those snug Temple chambers]6759-those snug temple chambers . The letter , written to [Miss Talboys]256-clara talboys by [[her]256-clara talboys brother]6760-her brother [George]181-george talboys , within a month of [his]183-captain maldon marriage , was dated [Harrowgate]96-harrowgate . It was at [Harrowgate]96-harrowgate , therefore , [Robert]173-robert concluded , [the young couple]6761-the young couple spent [their]6761-the young couple honeymoon . [Robert Audley]173-robert had requested [Clara Talboys]256-clara talboys to telegraph an answer to [his]173-robert question , in order to avoid the loss of a day in the accomplishment of the investigation [he]173-robert had promised to perform . The telegraphic answer reached [Figtree Court]14-figtree court before twelve o'clock the next day . The name of [the seaport town]6762-the seaport town was [Wildernsea]97-wildernsea , [Yorkshire]98-yorkshire . Within an hour of the receipt of this message , [Mr. Audley]173-robert arrived at [the King's - cross station]6763-the king's - cross station , and took [his]173-robert ticket for [Wildernsea]97-wildernsea by [an express train that started at]6764-an express train that started at a quarter before two . The shrieking engine bore [him]173-robert on the dreary northward journey , whirling [him]173-robert over [desert wastes of flat meadow - land]6765-desert wastes of flat meadow - land and bare cornfields , faintly tinted with fresh sprouting green . [This northern road]6766-this northern road was strange and unfamiliar to [the young barrister]5094-the young barrister , and the wide expanse of [the wintry landscape]1904-the wintry landscape chilled [him]5094-the young barrister by its aspect of bare loneliness . The knowledge of the purpose of [his]5094-the young barrister journey blighted every object upon which [his]5094-the young barrister absent glances fixed themselves for a moment , only to wander wearily away ; only to turn inward upon that far darker picture always presenting itself to [his]5094-the young barrister anxious mind . It was dark when [the train]1957-the train reached [the [Hull]99-hull terminus]6770-the hull terminus , but [Mr. Audley]173-robert 's journey was not ended . Amidst a crowd of [porters]1428-porters and scattered heaps of that incongruous and heterogeneous luggage with which [travelers]6772-travelers incumber [themselves]6772-travelers , [he]173-robert was led , bewildered and half asleep , to [another train which was to convey [him]173-robert]6773-another train which was to convey him along [the branch line that swept past [Wildernsea]97-wildernsea]6774-the branch line that swept past wildernsea , and skirted [the border of [the German Ocean]100-the german ocean]6775-the border of the german ocean . Half an hour after leaving [Hull]99-hull , [Robert]173-robert felt the briny freshness of [the sea]661-the sea upon the breeze that blew in at the open window of [the carriage]5171-the carriage , and an hour afterward [the train]1957-the train stopped at [a melancholy station]6779-a melancholy station , built amid [a sandy desert]6780-a sandy desert , and inhabited by [two or three gloomy officials]6781-two or three gloomy officials , [one of whom rung a terrific peal upon a harshly clanging bell]6782-one of whom rung a terrific peal upon a harshly clanging bell as [the train]1957-the train approached . [Mr. Audley]173-robert was [the only passenger who alighted at [the dismal station]6785-the dismal station]6784-the only passenger who alighted at the dismal station . [The train]1957-the train swept on to the gayer scenes before [the barrister]955-the barrister had time to collect [his]955-the barrister senses , or to pick up the portmanteau which had been discovered with some difficulty amid [a black cavern of baggage only illuminated by one lantern]6788-a black cavern of baggage only illuminated by one lantern . "[2810-you] [I]0-i wonder whether settlers in [the backwoods of [America]101-america]2809-the backwoods of america feel as solitary and strange as [I]0-i feel to - night ? " [he]955-the barrister thought , as [he]955-the barrister stared hopelessly about [him]955-the barrister in the darkness . [He]955-the barrister called to [one of [the officials]6790-the officials]6789-one of the officials , and pointed to [[his]0-i portmanteau]6791-his portmanteau . "[2810-you] Will [you]2810-you carry that to [the nearest hotel]2811-the nearest hotel for [me]0-i ? " [he]0-i asked—"that[2810-you] is to say , if [I]0-i can get a good bed [there]374-there . " [The man]634-the man laughed as [he]634-the man shouldered the portmanteau . "[2810-you] [You]2810-you can get thirty beds , [I]0-i dare say , [sir]900-sir , if [you]2810-you wanted 'em , " [he]0-i said . "[2810-you] [We]2814-we ai n't over busy at [Wildernsea]97-wildernsea at this time o ' year . This way , [sir]900-sir . " [The porter]1950-the porter opened a wooden door in the station wall , and [Robert Audley]173-robert found [himself]173-robert upon a wide bowling - green of smooth grass , which surrounded [a huge , square building]6794-a huge , square building , that loomed darkly on [him]173-robert through the winter 's night , [its]6794-a huge , square building black solidity only relieved by two lighted windows , far apart from each other , and glimmering redly like beacons on the darkness . "[900-sir] This is [the Victoria Hotel]2816-the victoria hotel , [sir]900-sir , " said [the porter]1950-the porter . "[900-sir] [You]900-sir would n't believe the crowds of company [we]2814-we have down here in the summer . " In the face of the bare grass - plat , the tenantless wooden alcoves , and the dark windows of [the hotel]4975-the hotel , it was indeed rather difficult to imagine that [the place]385-the place was ever gay with [merry people taking pleasure in the bright summer weather]6798-merry people taking pleasure in the bright summer weather ; but [Robert Audley]173-robert declared [himself]173-robert willing to believe anything [the porter]1950-the porter pleased to tell [him]173-robert , and followed [[his]173-robert guide]6800-his guide meekly to a little door at the side of [the big hotel]6801-the big hotel , which led into [a comfortable bar , where [the humbler classes of [summer visitors]6804-summer visitors]6803-the humbler classes of summer visitors were accommodated with such refreshments as [they]6803-the humbler classes of summer visitors pleased to pay for , without running the gantlet of [the prim , white - waistcoated waiters on guard at the principal entrance]6805-the prim , white - waistcoated waiters on guard at the principal entrance]6802-a comfortable bar , where the humbler classes of summer visitors were accommodated with such refreshments as they pleased to pay for , without running the gantlet of the prim , white - waistcoated waiters on guard at the principal entrance . But there were [very few attendants retained at [the hotel]4975-the hotel]6806-very few attendants retained at the hotel in the bleak February season , and it was [the landlord [himself]6808-the landlord himself who ushered robert into a dreary wilderness of polished mahogany tables and horsehair cushioned chairs , which he called the coffee - room who ushered [Robert]173-robert into a dreary wilderness of polished mahogany tables and horsehair cushioned chairs , which [he]6808-the landlord himself who ushered robert into a dreary wilderness of polished mahogany tables and horsehair cushioned chairs , which he called the coffee - room called [the coffee - room]6809-the coffee - room]6808-the landlord himself who ushered robert into a dreary wilderness of polished mahogany tables and horsehair cushioned chairs , which he called the coffee - room . [Mr. Audley]173-robert seated [himself]173-robert close to the wide steel fender , and stretched [his]173-robert cramped legs upon the hearth - rug , while [the landlord]5144-the landlord drove the poker into the vast pile of coal , and sent a ruddy blaze roaring upward through the chimney . "[900-sir] If [you]2818-you would prefer [a private room]2819-a private room , [sir]900-sir — " [the man]634-the man began . "[900-sir] No , thank [you]2818-you , " said [Robert]173-robert , indifferently ; "[2818-you] [this room]5247-this room seems quite private enough just now . If [you]2818-you will order [me]0-i a mutton chop and a pint of sherry , [I]0-i shall be obliged . " "[900-sir] Certainly , [sir]900-sir . " "[900-sir] And [I]0-i shall be still more obliged if [you]2818-you will favor [me]0-i with a few minutes ' conversation before [you]2818-you do so . " "[900-sir] With very great pleasure , [sir]900-sir , " [the landlord]5144-the landlord answered , good - naturedly . "[900-sir] [We]2824-we see so very little company at this season of the year , that [we]2824-we are only too glad to oblige [those gentlemen who do visit [us]2824-we]2825-those gentlemen who do visit us . Any information which [I]0-i can afford [you]900-sir respecting [the neighborhood of [Wildernsea]97-wildernsea]2826-the neighborhood of wildernsea and [its]2826-the neighborhood of wildernsea attractions , " added [the landlord]5144-the landlord , unconsciously quoting a small hand - book of the watering - place which [he]5144-the landlord sold in [the bar]4928-the bar , "[0-i] [I]0-i shall be most happy to — " "[0-i] But [I]0-i do n't want to know anything about [the neighborhood of [Wildernsea]97-wildernsea]2826-the neighborhood of wildernsea , " interrupted [Robert]173-robert , with a feeble protest against [the landlord]5144-the landlord 's volubility . "[0-i] [I]0-i want to ask [you]0-i a few questions about [some people who once lived here]2828-some people who once lived here . " [The landlord]5144-the landlord bowed and smiled , with an air which implied [his]5144-the landlord readiness to recite the biographies of [all the inhabitants of [the little seaport]6818-the little seaport]6817-all the inhabitants of the little seaport , if required by [Mr. Audley]173-robert to do so . "[2828-some people who once lived here] How many years have [you]0-i lived [here]4776-here ? " [Robert]173-robert asked , taking [his]173-robert memorandum book from [his]173-robert pocket . "[0-i] Will it annoy [you]0-i if [I]0-i make notes of [your]0-i replies to [my]0-i questions ? " "[900-sir] Not at all , [sir]900-sir , " replied [the landlord]5144-the landlord , with a pompous enjoyment of the air of solemnity and importance which pervaded this business . "[900-sir] Any information which [I]0-i can afford that is likely to be of ultimate value — " "[0-i] Yes , thank [you]0-i , " [Robert]173-robert murmured , interrupting the flow of words . "[0-i] [You]0-i have lived [here]4776-here — " "[0-i] Six years , [sir]900-sir . " "[0-i] Since the year fifty - three ? " "[0-i] Since November , in the year fifty - two , [sir]900-sir . [I]0-i was in business at [Hull]99-hull prior to that time . [This house]6101-this house was only completed in the October before [I]0-i entered [it]6101-this house . " "[0-i] Do [you]900-sir remember [a lieutenant in the navy]2835-a lieutenant in the navy , on half - pay , [I]0-i believe , at that time , called [Maldon]182-mr. maldon ? " "[2835-a lieutenant in the navy] [Captain Maldon]183-captain maldon , [sir]900-sir ? " "[183-captain maldon] Yes , commonly called [Captain Maldon]183-captain maldon . [I]0-i see [you]900-sir do remember [him]183-captain maldon . " "[900-sir] Yes , [sir]900-sir . [Captain Maldon]183-captain maldon was [one of [[our]2839-our best customers]2840-our best customers]2838-one of our best customers . [He]183-captain maldon used to spend [his]183-captain maldon evenings in [this very room]5337-this very room , though the walls were damp at that time , and [we]2839-our were n't able to paper [the place]385-the place for nearly a twelvemonth afterward . [[His]183-captain maldon daughter]556-his daughter married [a young officer that came here with [[his]183-captain maldon regiment]2845-his regiment , at Christmas time in fifty - two]2844-a young officer that came here with his regiment , at christmas time in fifty - two . [They]2846-they were married here , [sir]900-sir , and [they]2846-they traveled on [the Continent]103-the continent for six months , and came back here again . But [the gentleman]4994-the gentleman ran away to [Australia]11-australia , and left [the lady]673-the lady , a week or two after [[her]673-the lady baby]4687-her baby was born . The business made quite a sensation in [Wildernsea]97-wildernsea , [sir]900-sir , and [Mrs.—Mrs.—I]286-mrs.—mrs.—i forgot the name — " "[181-george talboys] [Mrs. Talboys]181-george talboys , " suggested [Robert]173-robert . "[181-george talboys] To be sure , [sir]900-sir , [Mrs. Talboys]181-george talboys . [Mrs. Talboys]181-george talboys was very much pitied by [the Wildernsea folks]2853-the wildernsea folks , [sir]900-sir , [I]0-i was going to say , for [she]181-george talboys was very pretty , and had such nice winning ways that [she]181-george talboys was a favorite with [everybody who knew [her]181-george talboys]2855-everybody who knew her . " "[181-george talboys] Can [you]900-sir tell [me]0-i how long [Mr. Maldon]182-mr. maldon and [[his]182-mr. maldon daughter]556-his daughter remained at [Wildernsea]97-wildernsea after [Mr. Talboys]239-mr. talboys left [them]2857-them ? " [Robert]173-robert asked . "[900-sir] Well — no , [sir]900-sir , " answered [the landlord]5144-the landlord , after a few moments ' deliberation . "[900-sir] [I]0-i ca n't say exactly how long it was . [I]0-i know [Mr. Maldon]182-mr. maldon used to sit [here]4776-here in [this very parlor]2860-this very parlor , and tell [people]572-people how badly [[his]182-mr. maldon daughter]556-his daughter had been treated , and how [he]182-mr. maldon 'd been deceived by [a young man [he]182-mr. maldon 'd put so much confidence in]2863-a young man he 'd put so much confidence in ; but [I]0-i ca n't say how long it was before [he]182-mr. maldon left [Wildernsea]97-wildernsea . But [Mrs. Barkamb]287-mrs. barkamb could tell [you]900-sir , [sir]900-sir , " added [the landlord]5144-the landlord , briskly . "[287-mrs. barkamb] [Mrs. Barkamb]287-mrs. barkamb . " "[287-mrs. barkamb] Yes , [Mrs. Barkamb]287-mrs. barkamb is [the person who owns [No . 17 North Cottages]2866-no . 17 north cottages]2865-the person who owns no . 17 north cottages , [the house in which [Mr. Maldon]182-mr. maldon and [[his]182-mr. maldon daughter]556-his daughter lived]2867-the house in which mr. maldon and his daughter lived . [She]287-mrs. barkamb 's [a nice , civil spoken , motherly woman]2869-a nice , civil spoken , motherly woman , [sir]900-sir , and [I]0-i 'm sure [she]287-mrs. barkamb 'll tell [you]900-sir anything [you]900-sir may want to know . " "[287-mrs. barkamb] Thank [you]0-i , [I]0-i will call upon [Mrs. Barkamb]287-mrs. barkamb to - morrow . Stay — one more question . Should [you]900-sir recognize [Mrs. Talboys]181-george talboys if [you]900-sir were to see [her]181-george talboys ? " "[900-sir] Certainly , [sir]900-sir . As sure as [I]0-i should recognize [one of [[my]0-i own daughters]2873-my own daughters]2872-one of my own daughters . " [Robert Audley]173-robert wrote [Mrs. Barkamb]287-mrs. barkamb 's address in [his]173-robert pocket - book , ate [his]173-robert solitary dinner , drank a couple of glasses of sherry , smoked a cigar , and then retired to [the apartment in which a fire had been lighted for [his]173-robert comfort]6822-the apartment in which a fire had been lighted for his comfort . [He]173-robert soon fell asleep , worn out with the fatigue of hurrying from place to place during the last two days ; but [his]173-robert slumber was not a heavy one , and [he]173-robert heard the disconsolate moaning of the wind upon [the sandy wastes]6823-the sandy wastes , and the long waves rolling in monotonously upon [the flat shore]6824-the flat shore . Mingling with these dismal sounds , the melancholy thoughts engendered by [his]173-robert joyless journey repeated themselves in never - varying succession in the chaos of [his]173-robert slumbering brain , and made themselves into visions of things that never had been and never could be upon [this earth]1644-this earth , but which had some vague relation to real events remembered by [the sleeper]6535-the sleeper . In those troublesome dreams [he]173-robert saw [Audley Court]1-audley court , rooted up from amidst [the green pastures]6827-the green pastures and [the shady hedgerows of [Essex]2-essex]6828-the shady hedgerows of essex , standing bare and unprotected upon [that desolate northern shore]6829-that desolate northern shore , threatened by the rapid rising of [a boisterous sea]6830-a boisterous sea , whose waves seemed gathering upward to descend and crush [the house [he]173-robert loved]6831-the house he loved . As the hurrying waves rolled nearer and nearer to [the stately mansion]1795-the stately mansion , [the sleeper]6535-the sleeper saw a pale , starry face looking out of the silvery foam , and knew that it was [[my]2872-one of my own daughters lady]468-my lady , transformed into a mermaid , beckoning [[his]2872-one of my own daughters uncle]4872-his uncle to destruction . Beyond that rising sea great masses of cloud , blacker than the blackest ink , more dense than the darkest night , lowered upon [the dreamer]6836-the dreamer 's eye ; but as [he]173-robert looked at the dismal horizon the storm - clouds slowly parted , and from a narrow rent in the darkness a ray of light streamed out upon the hideous waves , which slowly , very slowly , receded , leaving [the old mansion]6837-the old mansion safe and firmly rooted on [the shore]6838-the shore . [Robert]173-robert awoke with the memory of this dream in [his]173-robert mind , and a sensation of physical relief , as if some heavy weight , which had oppressed [him]173-robert all the night , had been lifted from [his]173-robert breast . [He]173-robert fell asleep again , and did not awake until the broad winter sunlight shone upon the window - blind , and the shrill voice of [the chambermaid at]6839-the chambermaid at [his]173-robert door announced that it was half - past eight o'clock . At a quarter - before ten [he]173-robert had left [Victoria Hotel]104-victoria hotel , and was making [his]173-robert way along [the lonely platform]6840-the lonely platform in front of [a row of shadowless houses that faced [the sea]661-the sea]6841-a row of shadowless houses that faced the sea . [This row of hard , uncompromising , square - built habitations]6843-this row of hard , uncompromising , square - built habitations stretched away to [the little harbor]6844-the little harbor , in which two or three [merchant vessels]6845-merchant vessels and [a couple of [colliers]6847-colliers]6846-a couple of colliers were anchored . Beyond [the harbor]6848-the harbor there loomed , gray and cold upon the wintry horizon , [a dismal barrack]6849-a dismal barrack , parted from [the Wildernsea houses]6850-the wildernsea houses by [a narrow creek]6851-a narrow creek , spanned by [an iron drawbridge]6852-an iron drawbridge . The scarlet coat of [the sentinel who walked backward and forward between two cannons , placed at remote angles before the barrack wall]6853-the sentinel who walked backward and forward between two cannons , placed at remote angles before the barrack wall , was the only scrap of color that relieved the neutral - tinted picture of [the gray stone houses]6854-the gray stone houses and [the leaden sea]6855-the leaden sea . On one side of [the harbor]6848-the harbor [a long stone pier]6857-a long stone pier stretched out far away into the cruel loneliness of [the sea]661-the sea , as if built for the especial accommodation of [some modern Timon]6859-some modern timon , too misanthropical to be satisfied even with the solitude of [Wildernsea]97-wildernsea , and anxious to get still further away from [his]6859-some modern timon fellow - creatures . It was on [that pier]6860-that pier [George Talboys]181-george talboys had first met [[his]6859-some modern timon wife]554-his wife , under the blazing glory of a midsummer sky , and to the music of [a braying band]6862-a braying band . It was there that [the young cornet]6863-the young cornet had first yielded to that sweet delusion , that fatal infatuation which had exercised so dark an influence upon [his]6859-some modern timon after - life . [Robert]173-robert looked savagely at this solitary watering - place — [the shabby seaport]6864-the shabby seaport . "[2872-one of my own daughters] It is such a place as this , " [he]173-robert thought , "[2872-one of my own daughters] that works [a strong man]2874-a strong man 's ruin . [He]2874-a strong man comes [here]4776-here , heart whole and happy , with no better experience of [women]4642-women than is to be learned at a flower - show or in [a ball - room]2877-a ball - room ; with no more familiar knowledge of the creature than [he]2874-a strong man has of [the far - away satellites]2878-the far - away satellites or [the remoter planets]2879-the remoter planets ; with a vague notion that [she]2880-she is a whirling teetotum in pink or blue gauze , or a graceful automaton for the display of [milliners]2881-milliners ' manufacture . [He]2874-a strong man comes to [some place of this kind]2882-some place of this kind , and [the universe]6422-the universe is suddenly narrowed into about [half a dozen acres]2884-half a dozen acres ; the mighty scheme of creation is crushed into a bandbox . The far - away creatures whom [he]2874-a strong man had seen floating about [him]2874-a strong man , beautiful and indistinct , are brought under [his]2874-a strong man very nose ; and before [he]2874-a strong man has time to recover [his]2874-a strong man bewilderment , [hey presto]2885-hey presto , the witchcraft has begun ; the magic circle is drawn around [him]2874-a strong man ! the spells are at work , the whole formula of sorcery is in full play , and [the victim]2886-the victim is as powerless to escape as [the marble - legged prince in the Eastern story]2887-the marble - legged prince in the eastern story . " Ruminating in this wise , [Robert Audley]173-robert reached [the house to which [he]173-robert had been directed]6865-the house to which he had been directed as [the residence of [Mrs. Barkamb]287-mrs. barkamb]6866-the residence of mrs. barkamb . [He]173-robert was admitted immediately by [a prim , elderly servant]6867-a prim , elderly servant , who ushered [him]173-robert into [a sitting - room]6868-a sitting - room as prim and elderly - looking as [herself]287-mrs. barkamb . [Mrs. Barkamb]287-mrs. barkamb , [a comfortable matron of about sixty years of age]6869-a comfortable matron of about sixty years of age , was sitting in an arm - chair before a bright handful of fire in the shining grate . [An elderly terrier , whose black - and - tan coat was thickly sprinkled with gray , reposed in [Mrs. Barkamb]287-mrs. barkamb 's lap]6870-an elderly terrier , whose black - and - tan coat was thickly sprinkled with gray , reposed in mrs. barkamb 's lap . Every object in [the quiet sitting - room]6871-the quiet sitting - room had an elderly aspect of simple comfort and precision , which is the evidence of outward repose . "[0-i] [I]0-i should like to live [here]4776-here , " [Robert]173-robert thought , "[0-i] and watch [the gray sea]2889-the gray sea slowly rolling over the gray sand under the still , gray sky . [I]0-i should like to live [here]4776-here , and tell the beads upon [my]0-i rosary , and repent and rest . " [He]0-i seated [himself]0-i in the arm - chair opposite [Mrs. Barkamb]287-mrs. barkamb , at [that lady]499-that lady 's invitation , and placed [his]0-i hat upon the ground . [The elderly terrier]6873-the elderly terrier descended from [[his]6873-the elderly terrier mistress]1489-his mistress ' lap to bark at and otherwise take objection to this hat . "[2891-you] [You]2891-you were wishing , [I]0-i suppose , [sir]900-sir , to take one — be quiet , [Dash]288-dash — [one of [the cottages]2894-the cottages]2893-one of the cottages , " suggested [Mrs. Barkamb]287-mrs. barkamb , whose mind ran in one narrow groove , and whose life during the last twenty years had been an unvarying round of [house]6875-house - letting . [Robert Audley]173-robert explained the purpose of [his]173-robert visit . "[0-i] [I]0-i come to ask one simple question , " [he]0-i said , in conclusion , "[0-i] [I]0-i wish to discover the exact date of [Mrs. Talboys]181-george talboys ' departure from [Wildernsea]97-wildernsea . [The proprietor of [the Victoria Hotel]2816-the victoria hotel]2895-the proprietor of the victoria hotel informed [me]0-i that [you]2891-you were the most likely person to afford [me]0-i that information . " [Mrs. Barkamb]287-mrs. barkamb deliberated for some moments . "[2891-you] [I]0-i can give [you]900-sir the date of [Captain Maldon]183-captain maldon 's departure , " [she]287-mrs. barkamb said , "[0-i] for [he]183-captain maldon left No . 17 considerably in [my]0-i debt , and [I]0-i have the whole business in black and white ; but with regard to [Mrs. Talboys]181-george talboys — " [Mrs. Barkamb]287-mrs. barkamb paused for a few moments before resuming . "[181-george talboys] [You]900-sir are aware that [Mrs. Talboys]181-george talboys left rather abruptly ? " [she]287-mrs. barkamb asked . "[181-george talboys] [I]0-i was not aware of that fact . " "[0-i] Indeed ! Yes , [she]181-george talboys left abruptly , [poor little woman]2897-poor little woman ! [She]181-george talboys tried to support [herself]181-george talboys after [[her]181-george talboys husband]469-her husband 's desertion by giving music lessons ; [she]181-george talboys was [a very brilliant pianist]2899-a very brilliant pianist , and succeeded pretty well , [I]0-i believe . But [I]0-i suppose [[her]181-george talboys father]481-her father took [her]181-george talboys money from [her]181-george talboys , and spent it in [public houses]2901-public houses . However that might be , [they]2902-they had a very serious misunderstanding one night ; and the next morning [Mrs. Talboys]181-george talboys left [Wildernsea]97-wildernsea , leaving [[her]181-george talboys little boy , who was out at nurse in [the neighborhood]504-the neighborhood]2903-her little boy , who was out at nurse in the neighborhood . " "[2903-her little boy , who was out at nurse in the neighborhood] But [you]0-i can not tell [me]0-i the date of [her]181-george talboys leaving ? " "[0-i] [I]0-i 'm afraid not , " answered [Mrs. Barkamb]287-mrs. barkamb ; "[0-i] and yet , stay . [Captain Maldon]183-captain maldon wrote to [me]0-i upon the day [[his]183-captain maldon daughter]556-his daughter left . [He]183-captain maldon was in very great distress , [poor old gentleman]2906-poor old gentleman , and [he]183-captain maldon always came to [me]0-i in [his]183-captain maldon troubles . If [I]0-i could find that letter , it might be dated , [you]0-i know — mightn't it , now ? " [Mr. Audley]173-robert said that it was only probable the letter was dated . [Mrs. Barkamb]287-mrs. barkamb retired to a table in the window on which stood an old - fashioned mahogany desk , lined with green baize , and suffering from a plethora of documents , which oozed out of it in every direction . Letters , receipts , bills , inventories and tax - papers were mingled in hopeless confusion ; and among these [Mrs. Barkamb]287-mrs. barkamb set to work to search for [Captain Maldon]183-captain maldon 's letter . [Mr. Audley]173-robert waited very patiently , watching the gray clouds sailing across the gray sky , [the gray vessels]6876-the gray vessels gliding past upon [the gray sea]2889-the gray sea . After about ten minutes ' search , and a great deal of rustling , crackling , folding and unfolding of the papers , [Mrs. Barkamb]287-mrs. barkamb uttered an exclamation of triumph . "[0-i] [I]0-i 've got the letter , " [she]287-mrs. barkamb said ; "[0-i] and there 's a note inside it from [Mrs. Talboys]181-george talboys . " [Robert Audley]173-robert 's pale face flushed a vivid crimson as [he]173-robert stretched out [his]173-robert hand to receive the papers . "[181-george talboys] [The persons who stole [Helen Maldon]238-helen maldon 's love - letters from [[George]181-george talboys 's trunk]2063-george 's trunk in [[my]0-i chambers]860-my chambers]2907-the persons who stole helen maldon 's love - letters from george 's trunk in my chambers might have saved [themselves]2907-the persons who stole helen maldon 's love - letters from george 's trunk in my chambers the trouble , " [he]173-robert thought . The letter from [the old lieutenant]6878-the old lieutenant was not long , but almost every other word was underscored . "[0-i] [[My]0-i generous friend]2910-my generous friend , " [the writer]2032-the writer began — [Mr. Maldon]182-mr. maldon had tried [the lady]673-the lady 's generosity pretty severely during [his]182-mr. maldon residence in [[her]673-the lady house]2734-her house , rarely paying [his]182-mr. maldon rent until threatened with the intruding presence of [the broker]2112-the broker 's man—"I[0-i] am in the depths of despair . [[My]0-i daughter]6288-my daughter has left [me]0-i ! [You]2912-you may imagine [my]0-i feelings ! [We]2913-we had a few words last night upon the subject of money matters , which subject has always been a disagreeable one between [us]2913-we , and on rising this morning [I]0-i found [I]0-i was deserted ! The enclosed from [Helen]238-helen maldon was waiting for [me]0-i on the parlor table . " [Yours]2912-you in distraction and despair , "[238-helen maldon] [HENRY MALDON]289-henry maldon . " [NORTH COTTAGES]105-north cottages , August 16th , 1854 . "[238-helen maldon] The note from [Mrs. Talboys]181-george talboys was still more brief . It began abruptly thus : " [I]181-george talboys am weary of [my]181-george talboys life here , and wish , if [I]181-george talboys can , to find a new one . [I]181-george talboys go out into [the world]519-the world , dissevered from every link which binds [me]181-george talboys to the hateful past , to seek another home and another fortune . Forgive [me]181-george talboys if [I]181-george talboys have been fretful , capricious , changeable . [You]2912-you should forgive [me]181-george talboys , for [you]2912-you know why [I]181-george talboys have been so . [You]2912-you know the secret which is the key to [my]181-george talboys life . "[181-george talboys] [HELEN TALBOYS]179-helen talboys . " These lines were written in a hand that [Robert Audley]173-robert knew only too well . [He]173-robert sat for a long time pondering silently over the letter written by [Helen Talboys]179-helen talboys . What was the meaning of those two last sentences—"You[181-george talboys] should forgive [me]0-i , for [you]2914-you know why [I]0-i have been so . [You]2914-you know the secret which is the key to [my]0-i life ? " [He]173-robert wearied [his]173-robert brain in endeavoring to find a clew to the signification of these two sentences . [He]173-robert could remember nothing , nor could [he]173-robert imagine anything that would throw a light upon their meaning . The date of [Helen]179-helen talboys 's departure , according to [Mr. Maldon]182-mr. maldon 's letter , was the 16th of August , 1854 . [Miss Tonks]282-miss tonks had declared that [Lucy Graham]152-miss graham entered [the school]6884-the school at [Crescent Villas]88-crescent villas upon the 17th or 18th of August in the same year . Between the departure of [Helen Talboys]179-helen talboys from [the Yorkshire watering - place]6885-the yorkshire watering - place and the arrival of [Lucy Graham]152-miss graham at [the Brompton school]6886-the brompton school , not more than eight - and - forty hours could have elapsed . This made a very small link in the chain of circumstantial evidence , perhaps ; but it was a link , nevertheless , and it fitted neatly into its place . "[2914-you] Did [Mr. Maldon]182-mr. maldon hear from [[his]182-mr. maldon daughter]556-his daughter after [she]556-his daughter had left [Wildernsea]97-wildernsea ? " [Robert]173-robert asked . "[182-mr. maldon] Well , [I]0-i believe [he]182-mr. maldon did hear from [her]556-his daughter , " [Mrs. Barkamb]287-mrs. barkamb answered ; "[182-mr. maldon] but [I]0-i did n't see much of [the old gentleman]2916-the old gentleman after that August . [I]0-i was obliged to sell [him]182-mr. maldon up in November , [poor fellow]2917-poor fellow , for [he]182-mr. maldon owed [me]0-i fifteen months ' rent ; and it was only by selling [his]182-mr. maldon poor little bits of furniture that [I]0-i could get [him]182-mr. maldon out of [[my]0-i place]2918-my place . [We]2919-we parted [very good friends]2920-very good friends , in spite of [my]0-i sending in [the brokers]2921-the brokers ; and [the old gentleman]2916-the old gentleman went to [London]3-london with [the child]5037-the child , who was scarcely [a twelvemonth old]2924-a twelvemonth old . " [Mrs. Barkamb]287-mrs. barkamb had nothing more to tell , and [Robert]173-robert had no further questions to ask . [He]173-robert requested permission to retain the two letters written by [the lieutenant]2137-the lieutenant and [[his]173-robert daughter]556-his daughter , and left [the house]388-the house with them in [his]173-robert pocket - book . [He]173-robert walked straight back to [the hotel]4975-the hotel , where [he]173-robert called for a time - table . [An express for [London]3-london]6891-an express for london left [Wildernsea]97-wildernsea at a quarter past one . [Robert]173-robert sent [his]173-robert portmanteau to [the station]1271-the station , paid [his]173-robert bill , and walked up and down the stone terrace fronting [the sea]661-the sea , waiting for the starting of [the train]1957-the train . "[2916-the old gentleman] [I]0-i have traced the histories of [Lucy Graham]152-miss graham and [Helen Talboys]179-helen talboys to a vanishing point , " [he]0-i thought ; "[0-i] [my]0-i next business is to discover the history of [the woman who lies buried in [Ventnor churchyard]26-ventnor]2925-the woman who lies buried in ventnor churchyard . " Upon [his]173-robert return from [Wildernsea]97-wildernsea , [Robert Audley]173-robert found a letter from [[his]173-robert Cousin]786-his cousin [Alicia]149-alicia , awaiting [him]173-robert at [[his]173-robert chambers]4865-his chambers . "[2925-the woman who lies buried in ventnor churchyard] [Papa]188-papa is much better , " [the young lady]5100-the young lady wrote , "[188-papa] and is very anxious to have [you]0-i at [the Court]373-the court . For some inexplicable reason , [[my]0-i stepmother]2927-my stepmother has taken it into [her]2927-my stepmother head that [your]0-i presence is extremely desirable , and worries [me]0-i with [her]2927-my stepmother frivolous questions about [your]0-i movements . So pray come without delay , and set [these people]2771-these people at rest . [[Your]0-i affectionate cousin]5077-your affectionate cousin , A.A. " "[5077-your affectionate cousin] So [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady is anxious to know [my]0-i movements , " thought [Robert Audley]173-robert , as [he]0-i sat brooding and smoking by [[his]0-i lonely fireside]2049-his lonely fireside . "[468-my lady] [She]468-my lady is anxious ; and [she]468-my lady questions [[her]468-my lady step - daughter]5225-her step - daughter in that pretty , childlike manner which has such a bewitching air of innocent frivolity . [Poor little creature]2932-poor little creature ; [poor unhappy little golden - haired sinner]2933-poor unhappy little golden - haired sinner ; the battle between [us]2934-us seems terribly unfair . Why does n't [she]468-my lady run away while there is still time ? [I]0-i have given [her]468-my lady fair warning , [I]0-i have shown [her]468-my lady [my]0-i cards , and worked openly enough in this business , Heaven knows . Why does n't [she]468-my lady run away ? " [He]0-i repeated this question again and again as [he]0-i filled and emptied [his]0-i meerschaum , surrounding [himself]0-i with the blue vapor from [his]0-i pipe until [he]0-i looked like [some modern magician seated in [[his]0-i laboratory]6900-his laboratory]6899-some modern magician seated in his laboratory . "[468-my lady] Why does n't [she]468-my lady run away ? [I]0-i would bring no needless shame upon [that house]6322-that house , of [all other houses upon [this wide earth]2937-this wide earth]2936-all other houses upon this wide earth . [I]0-i would only do [my]0-i duty to [[my]0-i missing friend]6020-my missing friend , and to [that brave and generous man who has pledged [his]2939-that brave and generous man who has pledged his faith to a worthless woman faith to [a worthless woman]2940-a worthless woman]2939-that brave and generous man who has pledged his faith to a worthless woman . [Heaven]201-heaven knows [I]0-i have no wish to punish . Heaven knows [I]0-i was never born to be [the avenger of guilt]2941-the avenger of guilt or [the persecutor of the guilty]2942-the persecutor of the guilty . [I]0-i only wish to do [my]0-i duty . [I]0-i will give [her]468-my lady one more warning , a full and fair one , and then — " [His]0-i thoughts wandered away to that gloomy prospect in which [he]0-i saw no gleam of brightness to relieve the dull , black obscurity that encompassed the future , shutting in [his]0-i pathway on every side , and spreading a dense curtain around and about [him]0-i , which [Hope]290-hope was powerless to penetrate . [He]0-i was forever haunted by the vision of [[his]0-i uncle]4872-his uncle 's anguish , forever tortured by the thought of that ruin and desolation which , being brought about by [his]0-i instrumentality , would seem in a manner [his]0-i handiwork . But amid all , and through all , [Clara Talboys]256-clara talboys , with an imperious gesture , beckoned [him]0-i onward to [[her]256-clara talboys brother]6760-her brother 's unknown grave . "[0-i] Shall [I]0-i go down to [Southampton]33-southampton , " [he]0-i thought , "[0-i] and endeavor to discover the history of [the woman who died at [Ventnor]26-ventnor]2943-the woman who died at ventnor ? Shall [I]0-i work underground , bribing [the paltry assistants]2944-the paltry assistants in that foul conspiracy , until [I]0-i find [my]0-i way to [the thrice guilty principal]2945-the thrice guilty principal ? No ! not till [I]0-i have tried other means of discovering the truth . Shall [I]0-i go to [that miserable old man]2946-that miserable old man , and charge [him]2946-that miserable old man with [his]2946-that miserable old man share in the shameful trick which [I]0-i believe to have been played upon [[my]0-i poor friend]6106-my poor friend ? No ; [I]0-i will not torture [that terror - stricken wretch as [I]0-i tortured [him]2946-that miserable old man a few weeks ago]2948-that terror - stricken wretch as i tortured him a few weeks ago . [I]0-i will go straight to [that arch - conspirator]2949-that arch - conspirator , and will tear away the beautiful veil under which [she]2949-that arch - conspirator hides [her]2949-that arch - conspirator wickedness , and will wring from [her]2949-that arch - conspirator the secret of [[my]0-i friend]836-my friend 's fate , and banish [her]2949-that arch - conspirator forever from [the house which [her]2949-that arch - conspirator presence has polluted]2951-the house which her presence has polluted . " [He]0-i started early the next morning for [Essex]2-essex , and reached [Audley]150-lady audley before eleven o'clock . Early as it was , [[my]2952-her lady]468-my lady was out . [She]468-my lady had driven to [Chelmsford]38-chelmsford upon a shopping expedition with [[her]468-my lady step - daughter]5225-her step - daughter . [She]468-my lady had several calls to make in [the neighborhood of [the town]2092-the town]6905-the neighborhood of the town , and was not likely to return until dinner - time . [Sir Michael]146-sir michael 's health was very much improved , and [he]0-i would come down stairs in the afternoon . Would [Mr. Audley]173-robert go to [[[his]0-i uncle]4872-his uncle 's room]6496-his uncle 's room ? No ; [Robert]173-robert had no wish to meet [that generous kinsman]6909-that generous kinsman . What could [he]173-robert say to [him]6909-that generous kinsman ? How could [he]173-robert smooth the way to the trouble that was to come?—how soften the cruel blow of the great grief that was preparing for that noble and trusting heart ? "[2952-her] If [I]0-i could forgive [her]2952-her the wrong done to [[my]0-i friend]836-my friend , " [Robert]173-robert thought , "[0-i] [I]0-i should still abhor [her]2952-her for the misery [her]2952-her guilt must bring upon [the man who has believed in [her]2952-her]2954-the man who has believed in her . " [He]173-robert told [[[his]0-i uncle]4872-his uncle 's servant]6911-his uncle 's servant that [he]173-robert would stroll into [the village]5107-the village , and return before dinner . [He]173-robert walked slowly away from [the Court]373-the court , wandering across the meadows between [[[his]0-i uncle]4872-his uncle 's house]1245-his uncle 's house and [the village]5107-the village , purposeless and indifferent , with the great trouble and perplexity of [his]173-robert life stamped upon [his]173-robert face and reflected in [his]173-robert manner . "[0-i] [I]0-i will go into [the churchyard]898-the churchyard , " [he]173-robert thought , "[0-i] and stare at the tombstones . There is nothing [I]0-i can do that will make [me]0-i more gloomy than [I]0-i am . " [He]173-robert was in those very meadows through which [he]173-robert had hurried from [Audley Court]1-audley court to [the station]1271-the station upon the September day in which [George Talboys]181-george talboys had disappeared . [He]173-robert looked at the pathway by which [he]173-robert had gone upon that day , and remembered [his]173-robert unaccustomed hurry , and the vague feeling of terror which had taken possession of [him]173-robert immediately upon losing sight of [[his]173-robert friend]4909-his friend . "[0-i] Why did that unaccountable terror seize upon [me]0-i , " [he]173-robert thought . "[2957-a monomania] Why was it that [I]0-i saw some strange mystery in [[my]0-i friend]836-my friend 's disappearance ? Was it a monition , or [a monomania]2957-a monomania ? What if [I]0-i am wrong after all ? What if this chain of evidence which [I]0-i have constructed link by link , is woven out of [my]0-i own folly ? What if this edifice of horror and suspicion is a mere collection of crotchets — the nervous fancies of [a hypochondriacal bachelor]2958-a hypochondriacal bachelor ? [Mr. Harcourt Talboys]239-mr. talboys sees no meaning in the events out of which [I]0-i have made [myself]0-i a horrible mystery . [I]0-i lay the separate links of the chain before [him]239-mr. talboys , and [he]239-mr. talboys can not recognize their fitness . [He]239-mr. talboys is unable to put them together . Oh , [[my]0-i God]5536-my god , if it should be in [myself]0-i all this time that the misery lies ; if — " [he]0-i smiled bitterly , and shook [his]0-i head . "[0-i] [I]0-i have the handwriting in [my]0-i pocket - book which is the evidence of the conspiracy , " [he]0-i thought . "[0-i] It remains for [me]0-i to discover the darker half of [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady 's secret . " [He]0-i avoided [the village]5107-the village , still keeping to [the meadows]776-the meadows . [The church]535-the church lay a little way back from [the straggling High street]6922-the straggling high street , and a rough wooden gate opened from [the churchyard]898-the churchyard into [a broad meadow]6924-a broad meadow , that was bordered by [a running stream]6925-a running stream , and sloped down into [a grassy valley dotted by groups of cattle]6926-a grassy valley dotted by groups of cattle . [Robert]173-robert slowly ascended [the narrow hillside pathway leading up to the gate in [the churchyard]898-the churchyard]6927-the narrow hillside pathway leading up to the gate in the churchyard . The quiet dullness of [the lonely landscape]6929-the lonely landscape harmonized with [his]0-i own gloom . The solitary figure of [an old man hobbling toward a stile at the further end of]6930-an old man hobbling toward a stile at the further end of [the wide meadow]6931-the wide meadow was the only human creature visible upon the area over which [the young barrister]5094-the young barrister looked . The smoke slowly ascending from [the scattered houses in [the long High street]6934-the long high street]6933-the scattered houses in the long high street was the only evidence of human life . The slow progress of the hands of the old clock in [the church steeple]6935-the church steeple was the only token by which [a traveler]6936-a traveler could perceive that a sluggish course of rustic life had not come to a full stop in [the village of Audley]5372-the village of audley . Yes , there was one other sign . As [Robert]173-robert opened the gate of [the churchyard]898-the churchyard , and strolled listessly into the little inclosure , [he]173-robert became aware of the solemn music of an organ , audible through a half - open window in the steeple . [He]173-robert stopped and listened to the slow harmonies of a dreamy melody that sounded like an extempore composition of [an accomplished player]6939-an accomplished player . "[0-i] Who would have believed that [Audley church]150-lady audley could boast such an organ ? " thought [Robert]173-robert . "[0-i] When last [I]0-i was [here]4776-here , [the national schoolmaster]2962-the national schoolmaster used to accompany [[his]2962-the national schoolmaster children]6331-his children by a primitive performance of common chords . [I]0-i did n't think the old organ had such music in it . " [He]173-robert lingered at the gate , not caring to break the lazy spell woven about [him]173-robert by the monotonous melancholy of [the organist]6940-the organist 's performance . The tones of the instrument , now swelling to their fullest power , now sinking to a low , whispering softness , floated toward [him]173-robert upon the misty winter atmosphere , and had a soothing influence , that seemed to comfort [him]173-robert in [his]173-robert trouble . [He]173-robert closed the gate softly , and crossed the little patch of gravel before the door of [the church]535-the church . The door had been left ajar — by [the organist]6940-the organist , perhaps . [Robert Audley]173-robert pushed it open , and walked into [the square porch]6943-the square porch , from which a flight of narrow stone steps wound upward to [the organ - loft]6944-the organ - loft and [the belfry]6945-the belfry . [Mr. Audley]173-robert took off [his]173-robert hat , and opened the door between [the porch]6946-the porch and the body of [the church]535-the church . [He]173-robert stepped softly into [the holy edifice]6948-the holy edifice , which had a damp , moldy smell upon week - days . [He]173-robert walked down [the narrow aisle]6949-the narrow aisle to the altar - rails , and from that point of observation took a survey of [the church]535-the church . [The little gallery]6951-the little gallery was exactly opposite to [him]173-robert , but the scanty green curtains before the organ were closely drawn , and [he]173-robert could not get a glimpse of [the player]6952-the player . The music still rolled on . [The organist]6940-the organist had wandered into a melody of [Mendelssohn]148-mendelssohn 's , a strain whose dreamy sadness went straight to [Robert]173-robert 's heart . [He]173-robert loitered in [the nooks and corners of [the church]535-the church]6954-the nooks and corners of the church , examining the dilapidated memorials of [the well - nigh forgotten dead]6956-the well - nigh forgotten dead , and listening to the music . "[0-i] If [[my]0-i poor friend]6106-my poor friend , [George Talboys]181-george talboys , had died in [my]0-i arms , and [I]0-i had buried [him]6106-my poor friend in [this quiet church]2965-this quiet church , in [one corner of the vaults over which [I]0-i tread to - day]2966-one corner of the vaults over which i tread to - day , how much anguish of mind , vacillation and torment [I]0-i might have escaped , " thought [Robert Audley]173-robert , as [he]173-robert read the faded inscriptions upon tablets of discolored marble ; "[0-i] [I]0-i should have known [his]6106-my poor friend fate — [I]0-i should have known [his]6106-my poor friend fate ! Ah , how much there would have been in that . It is this miserable uncertainty , this horrible suspicion which has poisoned [my]0-i very life . " [He]0-i looked at [his]0-i watch . "[6106-my poor friend] Half - past one , " [he]0-i muttered . "[6106-my poor friend] [I]0-i shall have to wait four or five dreary hours before [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady comes [home]479-home from [her]468-my lady morning calls — [her]468-my lady pretty visits of ceremony or friendliness . Good Heaven ! what [an actress]2969-an actress [this woman]557-this woman is . What [an arch trickster]2971-an arch trickster — what [an all - accomplished deceiver]2972-an all - accomplished deceiver . But [she]468-my lady shall play [her]468-my lady pretty comedy no longer under [[my]0-i uncle]991-my uncle 's roof . [I]0-i have diplomatized long enough . [She]468-my lady has refused to accept an indirect warning . To - night [I]0-i will speak plainly . " The music of the organ ceased , and [Robert]173-robert heard the closing of the instrument . "[0-i] [I]0-i 'll have a look at [this new organist]2974-this new organist , " [he]0-i thought , "[2974-this new organist] who can afford to bury [his]2974-this new organist talents at [Audley]173-robert , and play [Mendelssohn]148-mendelssohn 's finest fugues for a stipend of sixteen pounds a year . " [He]0-i lingered in [the porch]6946-the porch , waiting for [the organist]6940-the organist to descend the awkward little stair - case . In the weary trouble of [his]0-i mind , and with the prospect of getting through the five hours in the best way [he]0-i could , [Mr. Audley]173-robert was glad to cultivate any diversion of thought , however idle . [He]0-i therefore freely indulged [his]0-i curiosity about [the new organist]6959-the new organist . [The first person who appeared upon the steep stone steps]6960-the first person who appeared upon the steep stone steps was [a boy in corduroy trousers and a dark linen smock - frock , who shambled down the stairs with a good deal of unnecessary clatter of [his]6961-a boy in corduroy trousers and a dark linen smock - frock , who shambled down the stairs with a good deal of unnecessary clatter of his hobnailed shoes , and who was red in the face from the exertion of blowing the bellows of the old organ hobnailed shoes , and who was red in the face from the exertion of blowing the bellows of the old organ]6961-a boy in corduroy trousers and a dark linen smock - frock , who shambled down the stairs with a good deal of unnecessary clatter of his hobnailed shoes , and who was red in the face from the exertion of blowing the bellows of the old organ . Close behind [this boy]6206-this boy came [a young lady]6963-a young lady , very plainly dressed in a black silk gown and a large gray shawl , who started and turned pale at sight of [Mr. Audley]173-robert . [This young lady]5251-this young lady was [Clara Talboys]256-clara talboys . Of [all people in [the world]519-the world]6965-all people in the world [she]5251-this young lady was [the last whom [Robert]173-robert either expected or wished to see]6967-the last whom robert either expected or wished to see . [She]5251-this young lady had told [him]173-robert that [she]5251-this young lady was going to pay a visit to [some friends who lived in [Essex]2-essex]6968-some friends who lived in essex ; but [the county]379-the county is [a wide one]6970-a wide one , and [the village of Audley]5372-the village of audley one of [the most obscure and least frequented spots in [the whole of]6973-the whole of [its]5372-the village of audley extent]6972-the most obscure and least frequented spots in the whole of its extent . That [the sister of [[his]173-robert lost friend]2029-his lost friend]6974-the sister of his lost friend should be [here]4776-here — here where [she]5251-this young lady could watch [his]173-robert every action , and from those actions deduce the secret workings of [his]173-robert mind , tracing [his]173-robert doubts [home]479-home to [their]6978-their object , made a complication of [his]173-robert difficulties that [he]173-robert could never have anticipated . It brought [him]173-robert back to that consciousness of [his]173-robert own helplessness , in which [he]173-robert had exclaimed : "[2974-this new organist] A hand that is stronger than [my]0-i own is beckoning [me]0-i onward on the dark road that leads to [[[my]0-i lost friend]6095-my lost friend 's unknown grave]6096-my lost friend 's unknown grave . " [Clara Talboys]256-clara talboys was the first to speak . "[2977-you] [You]2977-you are surprised to see [me]0-i here , [Mr. Audley]173-robert , " [she]256-clara talboys said . "[173-robert] Very much surprised . " "[0-i] [I]0-i told [you]2977-you that [I]0-i was coming to [Essex]2-essex . [I]0-i left [home]479-home day before yesterday . [I]0-i was leaving [home]479-home when [I]0-i received [your]2977-you telegraphic message . [The friend with whom [I]0-i am staying]2980-the friend with whom i am staying is [Mrs. Martyn]291-mrs. martyn , [the wife of [the new rector of [Mount Stanning]69-mount stanning]2982-the new rector of mount stanning]2981-the wife of the new rector of mount stanning . [I]0-i came down this morning to see [the village]5107-the village and [church]2984-church , and as [Mrs. Martyn]291-mrs. martyn had to pay a visit to [the school]6884-the school with [the curate]2986-the curate and [[his]2986-the curate wife]554-his wife , [I]0-i stopped [here]4776-here and amused [myself]0-i by trying the old organ . [I]0-i was not aware till [I]0-i came here that there was [a village called Audley]2989-a village called audley . [The place]385-the place takes its name from [[your]0-i family]2620-your family , [I]0-i suppose ? " "[0-i] [I]0-i believe so , " [Robert]173-robert answered , wondering at [the lady]673-the lady 's calmness , in contradistinction to [his]173-robert own embarrassment . "[0-i] [I]0-i have a vague recollection of hearing the story of [some ancestor who was called [Audley of Audley]2993-audley of audley in the reign of [Edward the Fourth]292-edward the fourth]2992-some ancestor who was called audley of audley in the reign of edward the fourth . [The tomb inside the rails near the altar]2994-the tomb inside the rails near the altar belongs to [one of [the knights of [Audley]150-lady audley]2996-the knights of audley]2995-one of the knights of audley , but [I]0-i have never taken the trouble to remember [his]2995-one of the knights of audley achievements . Are [you]0-i going to wait here for [[your]0-i friends]2997-your friends , [Miss Talboys]256-clara talboys ? " "[2997-your friends] Yes ; [they]2997-your friends are to return here for [me]0-i after [they]2997-your friends have finished [their]2997-your friends rounds . " "[2997-your friends] And [you]0-i go back to [Mount Stanning]222-mount stanning with [them]2997-your friends this afternoon ? " "[0-i] Yes . " [Robert]173-robert stood with [his]173-robert hat in [his]173-robert hand , looking absently out at the tombstones and the low wall of [the church yard]6980-the church yard . [Clara Talboys]256-clara talboys watched [his]0-i pale face , haggard under the deepening shadow that had rested upon it so long . "[0-i] [You]0-i have been ill since [I]0-i saw [you]0-i last , [Mr. Audley]173-robert , " [she]256-clara talboys said , in a low voice , that had the same melodious sadness as the notes of the old organ under [her]256-clara talboys touch . "[173-robert] No , [I]0-i have not been ill ; [I]0-i have been only harassed , wearied by a hundred doubts and perplexities . " [He]0-i was thinking as [he]0-i spoke to [her]2998-her : "[2998-her] How much does [she]2998-her guess ? How much does [she]2998-her suspect ? " [He]0-i had told the story of [George]181-george talboys 's disappearance and of [his]0-i own suspicions , suppressing only the names of [those concerned in the mystery]6981-those concerned in the mystery ; but what if [this girl]2487-this girl should fathom this slender disguise , and discover for [herself]2998-her that which [he]0-i had chosen to withhold . [Her]2998-her grave eyes were fixed upon [his]0-i face , and [he]0-i knew that [she]2998-her was trying to read the innermost secrets of [his]0-i mind . "[2998-her] What am [I]0-i in [her]2998-her hands ? " [he]0-i thought . "[2998-her] What am [I]0-i in the hands of [this woman]557-this woman , who has [[my]0-i lost friend]6095-my lost friend 's face and the manner of [Pallas Athene]293-pallas athene . [She]2998-her reads [my]0-i pitiful , vacillating soul , and plucks the thoughts out of [my]0-i heart with the magic of [her]2998-her solemn brown eyes . How unequal the fight must be between [us]3001-us , and how can [I]0-i ever hope to conquer against the strength of [her]2998-her beauty and [her]2998-her wisdom ? " [Mr. Audley]173-robert was clearing [his]173-robert throat preparatory to bidding [[his]173-robert beautiful companion]6983-his beautiful companion good - morning , and making [his]173-robert escape from the thraldom of [her]2998-her presence into [the lonely meadow outside [the churchyard]898-the churchyard]6984-the lonely meadow outside the churchyard , when [Clara Talboys]256-clara talboys arrested [him]173-robert by speaking upon that very subject which [he]173-robert was most anxious to avoid . "[0-i] [You]0-i promised to write to [me]0-i , [Mr. Audley]173-robert , " [she]256-clara talboys said , "[0-i] if [you]173-robert made any discovery which carried [you]173-robert nearer to the mystery of [[my]0-i brother]6319-my brother 's disappearance . [You]173-robert have not written to [me]0-i , and [I]0-i imagine , therefore , that [you]173-robert have discovered nothing . " [Robert Audley]173-robert was silent for some moments . How could [he]173-robert answer this direct question ? "[173-robert] The chain of circumstantial evidence which unites the mystery of [[your]173-robert brother]6374-your brother 's fate with [the person whom [I]0-i suspect]3004-the person whom i suspect , " [he]0-i said , after a pause , "[3004-the person whom i suspect] is formed of very slight links . [I]0-i think that [I]0-i have added another link to that chain since [I]0-i saw [you]173-robert in [Dorsetshire]76-dorsetshire . " "[0-i] And [you]173-robert refuse to tell [me]0-i what it is that [you]173-robert have discovered ? " "[173-robert] Only until [I]0-i have discovered more . " "[0-i] [I]0-i thought from [your]173-robert message that [you]173-robert were going to [Wildernsea]97-wildernsea . " "[173-robert] [I]0-i have been [there]374-there . " "[0-i] Indeed ! It was there that [you]173-robert made some discovery , then ? " "[173-robert] It was , " answered [Robert]173-robert . "[173-robert] [You]173-robert must remember , [Miss Talboys]256-clara talboys that the sole ground upon which [my]0-i suspicions rest is the identity of [two individuals who have no apparent connection]3006-two individuals who have no apparent connection — the identity of [a person who is supposed to be dead]3007-a person who is supposed to be dead with [one who is living]3008-one who is living . The conspiracy of which [I]0-i believe [[your]173-robert brother]6374-your brother to have been [the victim]2886-the victim hinges upon this . If [[his]6374-your brother wife]554-his wife , [Helen Talboys]179-helen talboys , died when the papers recorded [her]554-his wife death — if [the woman who lies buried in [Ventnor churchyard]6165-ventnor churchyard]2925-the woman who lies buried in ventnor churchyard was indeed [the woman whose name is inscribed on the headstone of the grave]3014-the woman whose name is inscribed on the headstone of the grave — [I]0-i have no case , [I]0-i have no clew to the mystery of [[your]173-robert brother]6374-your brother 's fate . [I]0-i am about to put this to the test . [I]0-i believe that [I]0-i am now in a position to play a bold game , and [I]0-i believe that [I]0-i shall soon arrive at the truth . " [He]0-i spoke in a low voice , and with a solemn emphasis that betrayed the intensity of [his]0-i feeling . [Miss Talboys]256-clara talboys stretched out [her]256-clara talboys ungloved hand , and laid it in [his]3016-his own . The cold touch of that slender hand sent a shivering thrill through [his]3016-his frame . "[3016-his] [You]3016-his will not suffer [[my]0-i brother]6319-my brother 's fate to remain a mystery , [Mr. Audley]173-robert , " [she]256-clara talboys said , quietly . "[173-robert] [I]0-i know that [you]3016-his will do [your]3016-his duty to [[your]3016-his friend]5065-your friend . " [[The rector]6986-the rector 's wife]6987-the rector 's wife and [[her]6987-the rector 's wife two companions]6988-her two companions entered [the churchyard]898-the churchyard as [Clara Talboys]256-clara talboys said this . [Robert Audley]173-robert pressed the hand that rested in [his]173-robert own , and raised it to [his]173-robert lips . "[3016-his] [I]0-i am [a lazy , good - for - nothing fellow]3019-a lazy , good - for - nothing fellow , [Miss Talboys]256-clara talboys , " [he]0-i said ; "[0-i] but if [I]0-i could restore [[your]256-clara talboys brother]6374-your brother [George]181-george talboys to life and happiness , [I]0-i should care very little for any sacrifice of [my]0-i own feeling , fear that the most [I]0-i can do is to fathom the secret of [his]6374-your brother fate and in doing that [I]0-i must sacrifice [those who are dearer to [me]0-i than [myself]0-i]3021-those who are dearer to me than myself . " [He]0-i put on [his]0-i hat , and hurried through the gateway leading into [the field]5295-the field as [Mrs. Martyn]291-mrs. martyn came up to [the porch]6946-the porch . "[3022-that handsome young man] Who is [that handsome young man]3022-that handsome young man [I]0-i caught tête - a - tête with [you]256-clara talboys , [Clara]256-clara talboys ? " [she]291-mrs. martyn asked , laughing . "[3022-that handsome young man] [He]3022-that handsome young man is a [Mr. Audley]173-robert , [a friend of [[my]0-i poor brother]3024-my poor brother 's]3023-a friend of my poor brother 's . " "[173-robert] Indeed ! [He]3022-that handsome young man is [some relation of [Sir Michael Audley]146-sir michael]3025-some relation of sir michael audley , [I]0-i suppose ? " "[146-sir michael] [Sir Michael Audley]146-sir michael ! " "[146-sir michael] Yes , [[my]0-i dear]4626-my dear ; [the most important personage in [the parish of Audley]3028-the parish of audley]3027-the most important personage in the parish of audley . But [we]3029-we 'll call at [the Court]373-the court in a day or two , and [you]256-clara talboys shall see [the baronet]465-the baronet and [[his]465-the baronet pretty young wife]464-his pretty young wife . " "[465-the baronet] [[His]465-the baronet young wife]5117-his young wife ! " replied [Clara Talboys]256-clara talboys , looking earnestly at [[her]256-clara talboys friend]6992-her friend . "[465-the baronet] Has [Sir Michael Audley]146-sir michael lately married , then ? " "[465-the baronet] Yes . [He]146-sir michael was [a widower]475-a widower for sixteen years , and married [a penniless young governess]3035-a penniless young governess about a year and a half ago . The story is quite romantic , and [Lady Audley]150-lady audley is considered [the belle of [the county]379-the county]5127-the belle of the county . But come , [[my]0-i dear]4626-my dear [Clara]256-clara talboys , the pony is tired of waiting for [us]3039-us , and [we]3039-us 've a long drive before dinner . " [Clara Talboys]256-clara talboys took [her]256-clara talboys seat in [the little basket - carriage]6993-the little basket - carriage which was waiting at [the principal gate of [the churchyard]898-the churchyard]6994-the principal gate of the churchyard , in the care of [the boy who had blown the organ - bellows]6996-the boy who had blown the organ - bellows . [Mrs. Martyn]291-mrs. martyn shook the reins , and the sturdy chestnut cob trotted off in the direction of [Mount Stanning]69-mount stanning . "[256-clara talboys] Will [you]256-clara talboys tell [me]0-i more about [this Lady Audley]150-lady audley , [Fanny]294-fanny ? " [Miss Talboys]256-clara talboys said , after a long pause . "[294-fanny] [I]0-i want to know all about [her]150-lady audley . Have [you]256-clara talboys heard [her]150-lady audley maiden name ? " "[150-lady audley] Yes ; [she]150-lady audley was [a Miss Graham]152-miss graham . " "[150-lady audley] And [she]150-lady audley is very pretty ? " "[150-lady audley] Yes , very , very pretty . Rather a childish beauty though , with large , clear blue eyes , and pale golden ringlets , that fall in a feathery shower over [her]150-lady audley throat and shoulders . " [Clara Talboys]256-clara talboys was silent . [She]256-clara talboys did not ask any further questions about [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady . [She]256-clara talboys was thinking of a passage in that letter which [George]181-george talboys had written to [her]256-clara talboys during [his]0-i honeymoon — a passage in which [he]0-i said : "[0-i] [[My]0-i childish little wife]3040-my childish little wife is watching [me]0-i as [I]0-i write this — Ah ! how [I]0-i wish [you]256-clara talboys could see [her]150-lady audley , [Clara]256-clara talboys ! [Her]150-lady audley eyes are as blue and as clear as the skies on a bright summer 's day , and [her]150-lady audley hair falls about [her]150-lady audley face like the pale golden halo [you]256-clara talboys see round the head of a Madonna in an Italian picture . " [Robert Audley]173-robert was loitering upon [the broad grass - plat in front of [the Court]373-the court]6998-the broad grass - plat in front of the court as [the carriage]5171-the carriage containing [[my]150-lady audley lady]468-my lady and [Alicia]149-alicia drove under the archway , and drew up at the low turret - door . [Mr. Audley]173-robert presented [himself]173-robert in time to hand [the ladies]7002-the ladies out of [the vehicle]1673-the vehicle . [[My]150-lady audley lady]468-my lady looked very pretty in a delicate blue bonnet and the sables which [[her]468-my lady nephew]5188-her nephew had bought for [her]468-my lady at [St. Petersburg]34-st. petersburg . [She]468-my lady seemed very well pleased to see [Robert]173-robert , and smiled most bewitchingly as [she]468-my lady gave [him]173-robert [her]468-my lady exquisitely gloved little hand . "[150-lady audley] So [you]3041-you have come back to [us]3042-we , [truant]3043-truant ? " [she]468-my lady said , laughing . "[3041-you] And now that [you]3041-you have returned , [we]3042-we shall keep [you]3041-you prisoner . [We]3042-we wo n't let [him]3041-you run away again , will [we]3042-we , [Alicia]149-alicia ? " [Miss Audley]149-alicia gave [her]149-alicia head a scornful toss that shook the heavy curls under [her]149-alicia cavalier hat . "[149-alicia] [I]0-i have nothing to do with the movements of so erratic [an individual]3044-an individual , " [she]149-alicia said . "[0-i] Since [Robert Audley]173-robert has taken it into [his]173-robert head to conduct [himself]173-robert like [some ghost - haunted hero]3045-some ghost - haunted hero in a German story , [I]0-i have given up attempting to understand [him]173-robert . " [Mr. Audley]173-robert looked at [[his]173-robert cousin]786-his cousin with an expression of serio - comic perplexity . "[0-i] [She]3046-she 's [a nice girl]5692-a nice girl , " [he]0-i thought , "[3046-she] but [she]3046-she 's [a nuisance]3048-a nuisance . [I]0-i do n't know how it is , but [she]3046-she seems more a nuisance than [she]3046-she used to be . " [He]0-i pulled [his]0-i mustaches reflectively as [he]0-i considered this question . [His]0-i mind wandered away for a few moments from the great trouble of [his]0-i life to dwell upon this minor perplexity . "[3046-she] [She]3046-she 's [a dear girl]3049-a dear girl , " [he]0-i thought ; "[3049-a dear girl] [a generous - hearted , bouncing , noble English lassie]3050-a generous - hearted , bouncing , noble english lassie ; and yet — " [He]0-i lost [himself]0-i in a quagmire of doubt and difficulty . There was some hitch in [his]0-i mind which [he]0-i could not understand ; some change in [himself]0-i , beyond the change made in [him]0-i by [his]0-i anxiety about [George Talboys]181-george talboys , which mystified and bewildered [him]0-i . "[3046-she] And pray where have [you]3051-you been wandering during the last day or two , [Mr. Audley]173-robert ? " asked [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , as [she]468-my lady lingered with [[her]468-my lady step - daughter]5225-her step - daughter upon the threshold of the turret - door , waiting until [Robert]173-robert should be pleased to stand aside and allow [them]7009-them to pass . [The young man]667-the young man started as [she]468-my lady asked this question and looked up at [her]468-my lady suddenly . Something in the aspect of [her]468-my lady bright young beauty , something in the childish innocence of [her]468-my lady expression , seemed to smite [him]667-the young man to the heart , and [his]667-the young man face grew ghastly pale as [he]667-the young man looked at [her]468-my lady . "[0-i] [I]0-i have been — in [Yorkshire]98-yorkshire , " [he]667-the young man said ; "[0-i] at [the little watering place where [[my]0-i poor friend]6106-my poor friend [George Talboys]181-george talboys lived at the time of [his]6106-my poor friend marriage]3052-the little watering place where my poor friend george talboys lived at the time of his marriage . " The white change in [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady 's face was the only sign of [her]468-my lady having heard these words . [She]468-my lady smiled , a faint , sickly smile , and tried to pass [[her]468-my lady husband 's nephew]7012-her husband 's nephew . "[0-i] [I]0-i must dress for dinner , " [she]468-my lady said . "[0-i] [I]0-i am going to a dinner - party , [Mr. Audley]173-robert ; please let [me]0-i go in . " "[173-robert] [I]0-i must ask [you]0-i to spare [me]0-i half an hour , [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , " [Robert]173-robert answered , in a low voice . "[0-i] [I]0-i came down to [Essex]2-essex on purpose to speak to [you]0-i . " "[0-i] What about ? " asked [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady . [She]468-my lady had recovered [herself]468-my lady from any shock which [she]468-my lady might have sustained a few moments before , and it was in [her]468-my lady usual manner that [she]468-my lady asked this question . [Her]468-my lady face expressed the mingled bewilderment and curiosity of [a puzzled child]7014-a puzzled child , rather than the serious surprise of [a woman]503-a woman . "[0-i] What can [you]173-robert want to talk to [me]0-i about , [Mr. Audley]173-robert ? " [she]468-my lady repeated . "[0-i] [I]0-i will tell [you]0-i when [we]3054-we are alone , " [Robert]173-robert said , glancing at [[his]173-robert cousin]786-his cousin , who stood a little way behind [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , watching this confidential little dialogue . "[0-i] [He]173-robert is in love with [[my]0-i step - mother]1084-my step - mother 's wax - doll beauty , " thought [Alicia]149-alicia , "[1084-my step - mother] and it is for [her]1084-my step - mother sake [he]173-robert has become such a disconsolate object . [He]173-robert 's just [the sort of person to fall in love with [[his]173-robert aunt]1281-his aunt]3056-the sort of person to fall in love with his aunt . " [Miss Audley]149-alicia walked away to [the grass - plat]7018-the grass - plat , turning [her]149-alicia back upon [Robert]173-robert and [[my]3058-the absurd creature lady]468-my lady . "[3058-the absurd creature] [The absurd creature]3058-the absurd creature turned as white as a sheet when [he]173-robert saw [her]3058-the absurd creature , " [she]149-alicia thought . "[3058-the absurd creature] So [he]173-robert can be in love , after all . That slow lump of torpidity [he]173-robert calls [his]173-robert heart can beat , [I]0-i suppose , once in a quarter of a century ; but it seems that [nothing but a blue - eyed wax - doll]3059-nothing but a blue - eyed wax - doll can set it going . [I]0-i should have given [him]173-robert up long ago if [I]0-i 'd known that [his]173-robert idea of beauty was to be found in [a toy - shop]3060-a toy - shop . " [Poor Alicia]190-alicia crossed [the grass - plat]7018-the grass - plat and disappeared upon the opposite side of [the quadrangle]7021-the quadrangle , where there was a Gothic gate that communicated with [the stables]1746-the stables . [I]3061-you am sorry to say that [[Sir Michael Audley]146-sir michael 's daughter]7023-sir michael audley 's daughter went to seek consolation from [her]7023-sir michael audley 's daughter dog [Caesar]196-caesar and [her]7023-sir michael audley 's daughter chestnut mare Atalanta , whose loose box [the young lady]5100-the young lady was in the habit of visiting every day . "[3061-you] Will [you]3061-you come into [the lime - walk]5297-the lime - walk , [Lady Audley]150-lady audley ? " said [Robert]173-robert , as [[his]173-robert cousin]786-his cousin left [the garden]452-the garden . "[3061-you] [I]0-i wish to talk to [you]3061-you without fear of interruption or observation . [I]0-i think [we]3063-we could choose no safer place than that . Will [you]3061-you come there with [me]0-i ? " "[3061-you] If [you]0-i please , " answered [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady . [Mr. Audley]173-robert could see that [she]3061-you was trembling , and that [she]3061-you glanced from side to side as if looking for some outlet by which [she]3061-you might escape [him]173-robert . "[0-i] [You]3061-you are shivering , [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , " [he]173-robert said . "[150-lady audley] Yes , [I]0-i am very cold . [I]0-i would rather speak to [you]3061-you some other day , please . Let it be to - morrow , if [you]3061-you will . [I]0-i have to dress for dinner , and [I]0-i want to see [Sir Michael]146-sir michael ; [I]0-i have not seen [him]146-sir michael since ten o'clock this morning . Please let it be to - morrow . " There was a painful piteousness in [her]3061-you tone . Heaven knows how painful to [Robert]173-robert 's heart . [Heaven]201-heaven knows what horrible images arose in [his]173-robert mind as [he]173-robert looked down at that fair young face and thought of the task that lay before [him]173-robert . "[0-i] [I]0-i must speak to [you]3061-you , [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , " [he]173-robert said . "[0-i] If [I]0-i am cruel , it is [you]3061-you who have made [me]0-i cruel . [You]3061-you might have escaped this ordeal . [You]3061-you might have avoided [me]0-i . [I]0-i gave [you]3061-you fair warning . But [you]3061-you have chosen to defy [me]0-i , and it is [your]3061-you own folly which is to blame if [I]0-i no longer spare [you]3061-you . Come with [me]0-i . [I]0-i tell [you]3061-you again [I]0-i must speak to [you]3061-you . " There was a cold determination in [his]173-robert tone which silenced [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady 's objections . [She]468-my lady followed [him]173-robert submissively to the little iron gate which communicated with [the long garden behind [the house]388-the house]7029-the long garden behind the house — [the garden in which [a little rustic wooden bridge]7032-a little rustic wooden bridge led across [the quiet fish - pond]7033-the quiet fish - pond]7031-the garden in which a little rustic wooden bridge led across the quiet fish - pond into [the lime - walk]5297-the lime - walk . The early winter twilight was closing in , and the intricate tracery of the leafless branches that overarched [the lonely pathway]7035-the lonely pathway looked black against the cold gray of the evening sky . [The lime - walk]5297-the lime - walk seemed like [some cloister]7037-some cloister in this uncertain light . "[0-i] Why do [you]0-i bring [me]0-i to this horrible place to frighten [me]0-i out of [my]0-i poor wits ? " cried [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , peevishly . "[0-i] [You]0-i ought to know how nervous [I]0-i am . " "[0-i] [You]0-i are nervous , [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady ? " "[0-i] Yes , dreadfully nervous . [I]0-i am worth a fortune to [poor Mr. Dawson]151-mr. dawson . [He]151-mr. dawson is always sending [me]0-i camphor , and sal volatile , and red lavender , and all kinds of abominable mixtures , but [he]151-mr. dawson ca n't cure [me]0-i . " "[151-mr. dawson] Do [you]468-my lady remember what [Macbeth]295-macbeth tells [[his]295-macbeth physician]3065-his physician , [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady ? " asked [Robert]173-robert , gravely . "[295-macbeth] [Mr. Dawson]151-mr. dawson may be very much more clever than [the Scottish leech]3067-the scottish leech , but [I]0-i doubt if even [he]151-mr. dawson can minister to the mind that is diseased . " "[151-mr. dawson] Who said that [my]0-i mind was diseased ? " exclaimed [Lady Audley]150-lady audley . "[0-i] [I]0-i say so , [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , " answered [Robert]173-robert . "[0-i] [You]468-my lady tell [me]0-i that [you]468-my lady are nervous , and that all the medicines [[your]468-my lady doctor]3069-your doctor can prescribe are only so much physic that might as well be thrown to the dogs . Let [me]0-i be [the physician]3070-the physician to strike to the root of [your]468-my lady malady , [Lady Audley]150-lady audley . Heaven knows that [I]0-i wish to be merciful — that [I]0-i would spare [you]468-my lady as far as it is in [my]0-i power to spare [you]468-my lady in doing justice to [others]5097-others — but justice must be done . Shall [I]0-i tell [you]468-my lady why [you]468-my lady are nervous in [this house]6101-this house , [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady ? " "[0-i] If [you]0-i can , " [she]468-my lady answered , with a little laugh . "[0-i] Because for [you]0-i [this house]6101-this house is haunted . " "[0-i] Haunted ? " "[0-i] Yes , haunted by the ghost of [George Talboys]181-george talboys . " [Robert Audley]173-robert heard [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady 's quickened breathing , [he]173-robert fancied [he]173-robert could almost hear the loud beating of [her]468-my lady heart as [she]468-my lady walked by [his]173-robert side , shivering now and then , and with [her]468-my lady sable cloak wrapped tightly around [her]468-my lady . "[0-i] What do [you]0-i mean ? " [she]468-my lady cried suddenly , after a pause of some moments . "[0-i] Why do [you]0-i torment [me]0-i about this [George Talboys]181-george talboys , who happens to have taken it into [his]3075-he head to keep out of [your]0-i way for a few months ? Are [you]0-i going mad , [Mr. Audley]173-robert , and do [you]0-i select [me]0-i as [the victim of [your]0-i monomania]3076-the victim of your monomania ? What is [George Talboys]181-george talboys to [me]0-i that [you]0-i should worry [me]0-i about [him]3075-he ? " "[181-george talboys] [He]3075-he was [a stranger to [you]0-i]3077-a stranger to you , [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , was [he]3075-he not ? " "[3075-he] Of course ! " answered [Lady Audley]150-lady audley . "[3075-he] What should [he]3075-he be but [a stranger]1506-a stranger ? " "[3075-he] Shall [I]0-i tell [you]0-i the story of [[my]0-i friend]836-my friend 's disappearance as [I]0-i read that story , [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady ? " asked [Robert]173-robert . "[0-i] No , " cried [Lady Audley]150-lady audley ; "[0-i] [I]0-i wish to know nothing of [[your]0-i friend]5065-your friend . If [he]5065-your friend is dead , [I]0-i am sorry for [him]5065-your friend . If [he]5065-your friend lives , [I]0-i have no wish either to see [him]5065-your friend or to hear of [him]5065-your friend . Let [me]0-i go in to see [[my]0-i husband]3083-my husband , if [you]0-i please , [Mr. Audley]173-robert , unless [you]0-i wish to detain [me]0-i in [this gloomy place]3084-this gloomy place until [I]0-i catch [my]0-i death of cold . " "[0-i] [I]0-i wish to detain [you]0-i until [you]0-i have heard what [I]0-i have to say , [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , " answered [Robert]173-robert , resolutely . "[150-lady audley] [I]0-i will detain [you]0-i no longer than is necessary , and when [you]0-i have heard [me]0-i [you]0-i shall take [your]0-i own course of action . " "[0-i] Very well , then ; pray lose no time in saying what [you]0-i have to say , " replied [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , carelessly . "[0-i] [I]0-i promise [you]0-i to attend very patiently . " "[0-i] When [[my]0-i friend]836-my friend , [George Talboys]181-george talboys , returned to [England]7-england , " [Robert]173-robert began , gravely , "[0-i] the thought which was uppermost in [his]836-my friend mind was the thought of [[his]836-my friend wife]554-his wife . " "[554-his wife] Whom [he]836-my friend had deserted , " said [[my]554-his wife lady]468-my lady , quickly . "[554-his wife] At least , " [she]468-my lady added , more deliberately , "[554-his wife] [I]0-i remember [your]0-i telling [us]3087-us something to that effect when [you]0-i first told [us]3087-us [[your]0-i friend]5065-your friend 's story . " [Robert Audley]173-robert did not notice this observation . "[0-i] The thought that was uppermost in [his]836-my friend mind was the thought of [[his]836-my friend wife]554-his wife , " [he]836-my friend repeated . "[554-his wife] [His]836-my friend fairest hope in the future was the hope of making [her]554-his wife happy , and lavishing upon [her]554-his wife the pittance which [he]836-my friend had won by the force of [his]836-my friend own strong arm in [the gold - fields of [Australia]11-australia]3090-the gold - fields of australia . [I]0-i saw [him]836-my friend within a few hours of [his]836-my friend reaching [England]7-england , and [I]0-i was a witness to the joyful pride with which [he]836-my friend looked forward to [his]836-my friend re - union with [[his]836-my friend wife]554-his wife . [I]0-i was also a witness to the blow which struck [him]836-my friend to the very heart — which changed [him]836-my friend from [the man [he]836-my friend had been]3092-the man he had been to a creature as unlike that former self as [one human being]3093-one human being can be unlike another . The blow which made that cruel change was the announcement of [[his]836-my friend wife]554-his wife 's death in the Times newspaper . [I]0-i now believe that that announcement was a black and bitter lie . " "[673-the lady] Indeed ! " said [[my]673-the lady lady]468-my lady ; "[673-the lady] and what reason could [any one]5101-any one have for announcing the death of [Mrs. Talboys]181-george talboys , if [Mrs. Talboys]181-george talboys had been alive ? " "[181-george talboys] [The lady]673-the lady [herself]673-the lady might have had a reason , " [Robert]173-robert answered , quietly . "[673-the lady] What reason ? " "[673-the lady] How if [she]673-the lady had taken advantage of [George]181-george talboys 's absence to win [a richer husband]3097-a richer husband ? How if [she]673-the lady had married again , and wished to throw [[my]0-i poor friend]6106-my poor friend off the scent by this false announcement ? " [Lady Audley]150-lady audley shrugged [her]150-lady audley shoulders . "[673-the lady] [Your]0-i suppositions are rather ridiculous , [Mr. Audley]173-robert , " [she]150-lady audley said ; "[673-the lady] it is to be hoped that [you]173-robert have some reasonable grounds for them . " "[173-robert] [I]0-i have examined a file of each of the newspapers published in [Chelmsford]38-chelmsford and [Colchester]39-colchester , " continued [Robert]173-robert , without replying to [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady 's last observation , "[0-i] and [I]0-i find in one of the [Colchester]39-colchester papers , dated July the 2d , 1857 , a brief paragraph among numerous miscellaneous scraps of information copied from other newspapers , to the effect that [a Mr. George Talboys]157-george , [an English gentleman]3099-an english gentleman , had arrived at [Sydney]5-sydney from [the gold - fields]3100-the gold - fields , carrying with [him]157-george nuggets and gold - dust to the amount of twenty thousand pounds , and that [he]157-george had realized [his]157-george property and sailed for [Liverpool]6-liverpool in [the fast - sailing clipper Argus]3101-the fast - sailing clipper argus . This is a very small fact , of course , [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , but it is enough to prove that [any person residing in [Essex]2-essex]3102-any person residing in essex in the July of the year fifty - seven , was likely to become aware of [George Talboys]157-george ' return from [Australia]11-australia . Do [you]0-i follow [me]0-i ? " "[0-i] Not very clearly , " said [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady . "[0-i] What have the [Essex]2-essex papers to do with the death of [Mrs. Talboys]181-george talboys ? " "[181-george talboys] [We]3103-we will come to that by - and - by , [Lady Audley]150-lady audley . [I]0-i say that [I]0-i believe the announcement in the Times to have been a false announcement , and a part of the conspiracy which was carried out by [Helen Talboys]179-helen talboys and [Lieutenant Maldon]242-lieutenant maldon against [[my]0-i poor friend]6106-my poor friend . " "[242-lieutenant maldon] A conspiracy ! " "[242-lieutenant maldon] Yes , a conspiracy concocted by [an artful woman]3105-an artful woman , who had speculated upon the chances of [[her]3105-an artful woman husband]469-her husband 's death , and had secured a splendid position at the risk of committing a crime ; [a bold woman]3107-a bold woman , [[[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , who thought to play [her]3107-a bold woman comedy out to the end without fear of detection ; [a wicked woman]3110-a wicked woman , who did not care what misery [she]3110-a wicked woman might inflict upon the honest heart of [the man [she]3110-a wicked woman betrayed]3111-the man she betrayed]3109-my lady , who thought to play her comedy out to the end without fear of detection ; a wicked woman , who did not care what misery she might inflict upon the honest heart of the man she betrayed ; but [a foolish woman , who looked at life as a game of chance]3112-a foolish woman , who looked at life as a game of chance , in which [the best player]3113-the best player was likely to hold the winning cards , forgetting that there is a Providence above [the pitiful speculators]3114-the pitiful speculators , and that wicked secrets are never permitted to remain long hidden . If [this woman of whom [I]0-i speak]3115-this woman of whom i speak had never been guilty of any blacker sin than the publication of that lying announcement in the Times newspaper , [I]0-i should still hold [her]3115-this woman of whom i speak as the most detestable and despicable of [her]3115-this woman of whom i speak sex — the most pitiless and calculating of [human creatures]3116-human creatures . That cruel lie was a base and cowardly blow in the dark ; it was the treacherous dagger - thrust of [an infamous assassin]3117-an infamous assassin . " "[3117-an infamous assassin] But how do [you]0-i know that the announcement was a false one ? " asked [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady . "[0-i] [You]0-i told [us]3118-us that [you]0-i had been to [Ventnor]26-ventnor with [Mr. Talboys]157-george to see [[[his]157-george wife]554-his wife 's grave]3120-his wife 's grave . Who was [it]3121-it who died at [Ventnor]26-ventnor if it was not [Mrs. Talboys]181-george talboys ? " "[181-george talboys] Ah , [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , " said [Robert]173-robert , "[150-lady audley] that is a question which [only two or three people]3122-only two or three people can answer , and [one or other of [those persons]3124-those persons]3123-one or other of those persons shall answer it to [me]0-i before long . [I]0-i tell [you]150-lady audley , [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , that [I]0-i am determined to unravel the mystery of [George Talboy]296-george talboy 's death . Do [you]150-lady audley think [I]0-i am to be put off by feminine prevarication — by womanly trickery ? No ! Link by link [I]0-i have put together the chain of evidence , which wants but a link here and there to be complete in its terrible strength . Do [you]150-lady audley think [I]0-i will suffer [myself]0-i to be baffled ? Do [you]150-lady audley think [I]0-i shall fail to discover those missing links ? No , [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , [I]0-i shall not fail , for [I]0-i know where to look for [them]3126-them ! There is [a fair - haired woman at [Southampton]33-southampton]3127-a fair - haired woman at southampton — [a woman called [Plowson]241-mrs. plowson , who has some share in the secrets of the father of [[my]0-i friend 's wife]3129-my friend 's wife]3128-a woman called plowson , who has some share in the secrets of the father of my friend 's wife . [I]0-i have an idea that [she]3127-a fair - haired woman at southampton can help [me]0-i to discover the history of [the woman who lies buried in [Ventnor churchyard]6165-ventnor churchyard]2925-the woman who lies buried in ventnor churchyard , and [I]0-i will spare no trouble in making that discovery , unless — " "[3127-a fair - haired woman at southampton] Unless what ? " asked [[my]3127-a fair - haired woman at southampton lady]468-my lady , eagerly . "[3127-a fair - haired woman at southampton] Unless [the woman [I]0-i wish to save from degradation and punishment]3132-the woman i wish to save from degradation and punishment accepts the mercy [I]0-i offer [her]3132-the woman i wish to save from degradation and punishment , and takes warning while there is still time . " [[My]3132-the woman i wish to save from degradation and punishment lady]468-my lady shrugged [her]468-my lady graceful shoulders , and flashed bright defiance out of [her]468-my lady blue eyes . "[3132-the woman i wish to save from degradation and punishment] [She]3132-the woman i wish to save from degradation and punishment would be [a very foolish woman]3133-a very foolish woman if [she]3132-the woman i wish to save from degradation and punishment suffered [herself]3132-the woman i wish to save from degradation and punishment to be influenced by any such absurdity , " [she]468-my lady said . "[3132-the woman i wish to save from degradation and punishment] [You]3134-you are hypochondriacal , [Mr. Audley]173-robert , and [you]3134-you must take camphor , or red lavender , or sal volatile . What can be more ridiculous than this idea which [you]3134-you have taken into [your]3134-you head ? [You]3134-you lose [[your]3134-you friend]5065-your friend [George Talboys]157-george in rather a mysterious manner — that is to say , [that gentleman]4886-that gentleman chooses to leave [England]7-england without giving [you]3134-you due notice . What of that ? [You]3134-you confess that [he]157-george became [an altered man]3137-an altered man after [[his]157-george wife]554-his wife 's death . [He]157-george grew eccentric and misanthropical ; [he]157-george affected an utter indifference as to what became of [him]157-george . What more likely , then , than that [he]157-george grew tired of the monotony of civilized life , and ran away to [those savage gold - fields]3139-those savage gold - fields to find a distraction for [his]157-george grief ? It is rather a romantic story , but by no means an uncommon one . But [you]3134-you are not satisfied with this simple interpretation of [[your]3134-you friend]5065-your friend 's disappearance , and [you]3134-you build up some absurd theory of a conspiracy which has no existence except in [your]3134-you own overheated brain . [Helen Talboys]179-helen talboys is dead . The Times newspaper declares [she]179-helen talboys is dead . [[Her]179-helen talboys own father]3141-her own father tells [you]3134-you that [she]179-helen talboys is dead . The headstone of [the grave in [Ventnor churchyard]6165-ventnor churchyard]3142-the grave in ventnor churchyard bears record of [her]179-helen talboys death . By what right , " cried [[my]173-robert lady]468-my lady , [her]468-my lady voice rising to that shrill and piercing tone peculiar to [her]468-my lady when affected by any intense agitation—"by[173-robert] what right , [Mr. Audley]173-robert , do [you]173-robert come to [me]0-i , and torment [me]0-i about [George Talboys]157-george — by what right do [you]173-robert dare to say that [[his]157-george wife]554-his wife is still alive ? " "[173-robert] By the right of circumstantial evidence , [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , " answered [Robert—"by]297-robert—"by[150-lady audley] the right of that circumstantial evidence which will sometimes fix the guilt of [a man]445-a man 's murder upon [that person who , on the first hearing of the case]3146-that person who , on the first hearing of the case , seems of [all other men]3147-all other men the most unlikely to be guilty . " "[150-lady audley] What circumstantial evidence ? " "[150-lady audley] The evidence of time and place . The evidence of handwriting . When [Helen Talboys]179-helen talboys left [[her]179-helen talboys father]481-her father 's at [Wildernsea]97-wildernsea , [she]179-helen talboys left a letter behind [her]179-helen talboys — a letter in which [she]179-helen talboys declared that [she]179-helen talboys was weary of [her]179-helen talboys old life , and that [she]179-helen talboys wished to seek [a new home]3149-a new home and a new fortune . That letter is in [my]0-i possession . " "[0-i] Indeed . " "[0-i] Shall [I]0-i tell [you]3150-you whose handwriting resembles that of [Helen Talboys]179-helen talboys so closely , that [the most dexterous expert]3151-the most dexterous expert could perceive no distinction between the two ? " "[3151-the most dexterous expert] A resemblance between the handwriting of [two women]3152-two women is no very uncommon circumstance now - a - days , " replied [[my]3151-the most dexterous expert lady]468-my lady carelessly . "[3151-the most dexterous expert] [I]0-i could show [you]3150-you the caligraphies of [half - a - dozen female correspondents]3153-half - a - dozen female correspondents , and defy [you]3150-you to discover any great difference in them . " "[3150-you] But what if the handwriting is a very uncommon one , presenting marked peculiarities by which it may be recognized among a hundred ? " "[3150-you] Why , in that case the coincidence is rather curious , " answered [[my]3150-you lady]468-my lady ; "[3150-you] but it is nothing more than a coincidence . [You]3150-you can not deny the fact of [Helen Talboys]179-helen talboys death on the ground that [her]179-helen talboys handwriting resembles that of [some surviving person]3154-some surviving person . " "[3150-you] But if a series of such coincidences lead up to the same point , " said [Robert]173-robert . "[179-helen talboys] [Helen Talboys]179-helen talboys left [[[her]179-helen talboys father]481-her father 's house]482-her father 's house , according to the declaration in [her]179-helen talboys own handwriting , because [she]179-helen talboys was weary of [her]179-helen talboys old life , and wished to begin a new one . Do [you]3150-you know what [I]0-i infer from this ? " [[My]0-i lady]468-my lady shrugged [her]468-my lady shoulders . "[0-i] [I]0-i have not the least idea , " [she]468-my lady said ; "[0-i] and as [you]3150-you have detained [me]0-i in [this gloomy place]3084-this gloomy place nearly half - an - hour , [I]0-i must beg that [you]3150-you will release [me]0-i , and let [me]0-i go and dress for dinner . " "[150-lady audley] No , [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , " answered [Robert]173-robert , with a cold sternness that was so strange to [him]173-robert as to transform [him]173-robert into another creature — a pitiless embodiment of justice , a cruel instrument of retribution—"no[150-lady audley] , [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , " [he]0-i repeated , "[150-lady audley] [I]0-i have told [you]150-lady audley that womanly prevarication will not help [you]150-lady audley ; [I]0-i tell [you]150-lady audley now that defiance will not serve [you]150-lady audley . [I]0-i have dealt fairly with [you]150-lady audley , and have given [you]150-lady audley fair warning . [I]0-i gave [you]150-lady audley indirect notice of [your]150-lady audley danger two months ago . " "[0-i] What do [you]0-i mean ? " asked [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , suddenly . "[0-i] [You]150-lady audley did not choose to take that warning , [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , " pursued [Robert]173-robert , "[150-lady audley] and the time has come in which [I]0-i must speak very plainly to [you]150-lady audley . Do [you]150-lady audley think the gifts which [you]150-lady audley have played against fortune are to hold [you]150-lady audley exempt from retribution ? No , [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , [your]150-lady audley youth and beauty , [your]150-lady audley grace and refinement , only make the horrible secret of [your]150-lady audley life more horrible . [I]0-i tell [you]150-lady audley that the evidence against [you]150-lady audley wants only one link to be strong enough for [your]150-lady audley condemnation , and that link shall be added . [Helen Talboys]179-helen talboys never returned to [[[her]179-helen talboys father]481-her father 's house]482-her father 's house . When [she]179-helen talboys deserted [that poor old father]3161-that poor old father , [she]179-helen talboys went away from [[his]3161-that poor old father humble shelter]3162-his humble shelter with the declared intention of washing [her]179-helen talboys hands of that old life . What do [people]572-people generally do when [they]572-people wish to begin a new existence — to start for a second time in the race of life , free from the incumbrances that had fettered [their]572-people first journey . [They]572-people change [their]572-people names , [Lady Audley]150-lady audley . [Helen Talboys]179-helen talboys deserted [[her]179-helen talboys infant son]3164-her infant son — [she]179-helen talboys went away from [Wildernsea]97-wildernsea with the predetermination of sinking [her]179-helen talboys identity . [She]179-helen talboys disappeared as [Helen Talboys]179-helen talboys upon the 16th of August , 1854 , and upon the 17th of that month [she]179-helen talboys reappeared as [Lucy Graham]152-miss graham , [the friendless girl who undertook a profitless duty in consideration of [a home in which [she]179-helen talboys was asked no questions]3165-a home in which she was asked no questions . " "[3166-you] [You]3166-you are mad , [Mr. Audley]173-robert ! " cried [[my]173-robert lady]468-my lady]7053-the friendless girl who undertook a profitless duty in consideration of a home in which she was asked no questions . " " you are mad , mr. audley ! " cried my lady . "[173-robert] [You]3166-you are mad , and [[my]0-i husband]3083-my husband shall protect [me]0-i from [your]3166-you insolence . What if this [Helen Talboys]179-helen talboys ran away from [[her]179-helen talboys home]3168-her home upon one day , and [I]0-i entered [[[my]0-i employer]3169-my employer 's house]3170-my employer 's house upon the next , what does that prove ? " "[179-helen talboys] By itself , very little , " replied [Robert Audley]173-robert ; "[179-helen talboys] but with the help of other evidence — " "[179-helen talboys] What evidence ? " "[179-helen talboys] The evidence of two labels , pasted one over the other , upon a box left by [you]3166-you in possession of [Mrs. Vincent]192-mrs. vincent , the upper label bearing the name of [Miss Graham]152-miss graham , the lower that of [Mrs. George Talboys]181-george talboys . " [[My]181-george talboys lady]468-my lady was silent . [Robert Audley]173-robert could not see [her]468-my lady face in the dusk , but [he]173-robert could see that [her]468-my lady two small hands were clasped convulsively over [her]468-my lady heart , and [he]173-robert knew that the shot had gone home to its mark . "[181-george talboys] God help [her]179-helen talboys , poor , wretched creature , " [he]173-robert thought . "[179-helen talboys] [She]179-helen talboys knows now that [she]179-helen talboys is lost . [I]0-i wonder if [the judges of [the land]3172-the land]3171-the judges of the land feel as [I]0-i do now when [they]3171-the judges of the land put on the black cap and pass sentence of death upon [some poor , shivering wretch]3173-some poor , shivering wretch , who has never done [them]3171-the judges of the land any wrong . Do [they]3171-the judges of the land feel a heroic fervor of virtuous indignation , or do [they]3171-the judges of the land suffer this dull anguish which gnaws [my]0-i vitals as [I]0-i talk to [this helpless woman]3174-this helpless woman ? " [He]173-robert walked by [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady 's side , silently , for some minutes . [They]7057-they had been pacing up and down [the dim avenue]7058-the dim avenue , and [they]7057-they were now drawing near the leafless shrubbery at one end of [the lime - walk]5297-the lime - walk — the shrubbery in which [the ruined well]5299-the ruined well sheltered its unheeded decay among the tangled masses of briery underwood . [A winding pathway]7061-a winding pathway , neglected and half - choked with weeds , led toward [this well]7062-this well . [Robert]173-robert left [the lime - walk]5297-the lime - walk , and struck into [this pathway]7064-this pathway . There was more light in the shrubbery than in [the avenue]754-the avenue , and [Mr. Audley]173-robert wished to see [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady 's face . [He]173-robert did not speak until [they]7057-they reached [the patch of rank grass beside [the well]7068-the well]7067-the patch of rank grass beside the well . The massive brickwork had fallen away here and there , and loose fragments of masonry lay buried amidst weeds and briars . The heavy posts which had supported the wooden roller still remained , but the iron spindle had been dragged from its socket and lay a few paces from the well , rusty , discolored , and forgotten . [Robert Audley]173-robert leaned against one of the moss - grown posts and looked down at [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady 's face , very pale in the chill winter twilight . The moon had newly risen , a feebly luminous crescent in the gray heavens , and a faint , ghostly light mingled with the misty shadows of the declining day . [[My]0-i lady]468-my lady 's face seemed like that face which [Robert Audley]173-robert had seen in [his]173-robert dreams looking out of the white foam - flakes on the green sea waves and luring [[his]173-robert uncle]4872-his uncle to destruction . "[0-i] Those two labels are in [my]0-i possession , [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , " [he]0-i resumed . "[150-lady audley] [I]0-i took them from the box left by [you]150-lady audley at [Crescent Villas]88-crescent villas . [I]0-i took them in the presence of [Mrs. Vincent]192-mrs. vincent and [Miss Tonks]282-miss tonks . Have [you]150-lady audley any proofs to offer against this evidence ? [You]150-lady audley say to [me]0-i , ' [I]0-i am [Lucy Graham]152-miss graham and [I]0-i have nothing whatever to do with [Helen Talboys]179-helen talboys . ' In that case [you]150-lady audley will produce witnesses who will declare [your]150-lady audley antecedents . Where had [you]150-lady audley been living prior to [your]150-lady audley appearance at [Crescent Villas]88-crescent villas ? [You]150-lady audley must have [friends]1050-friends , [relations]3176-relations , connections , who can come forward to prove as much as this for [you]150-lady audley ? If [you]150-lady audley were [the most desolate creature upon [this earth]1644-this earth]3177-the most desolate creature upon this earth , [you]150-lady audley would be able to point to [someone who could identify [you]150-lady audley with the past]3179-someone who could identify you with the past . " "[3179-someone who could identify you with the past] Yes , " cried [[my]3179-someone who could identify you with the past lady]468-my lady , "[3179-someone who could identify you with the past] if [I]0-i were placed in [a criminal dock]3180-a criminal dock [I]0-i could , no doubt , bring forward [witnesses]3181-witnesses to refute [your]150-lady audley absurd accusation . But [I]0-i am not in [a criminal dock]3180-a criminal dock , [Mr. Audley]173-robert , and [I]0-i do not choose to do anything but laugh at [your]150-lady audley ridiculous folly . [I]0-i tell [you]150-lady audley that [you]150-lady audley are mad ! If [you]150-lady audley please to say that [Helen Talboys]179-helen talboys is not dead , and that [I]0-i am [Helen Talboys]179-helen talboys , [you]150-lady audley may do so . If [you]150-lady audley choose to go wandering about in the places in which [I]0-i have lived , and to [the places in which [this Mrs. Talboys]181-george talboys has lived]3183-the places in which this mrs. talboys has lived , [you]150-lady audley must follow the bent of [your]150-lady audley own inclination , but [I]0-i would warn [you]150-lady audley that such fancies have sometimes conducted [people]572-people , as apparently sane as [yourself]150-lady audley , to the life - long imprisonment of [a private lunatic - asylum]3185-a private lunatic - asylum . " [Robert Audley]173-robert started and recoiled a few paces among the weeds and brushwood as [[my]179-helen talboys lady]468-my lady said this . "[179-helen talboys] [She]179-helen talboys would be capable of any new crime to shield [her]179-helen talboys from the consequences of the old one , " [he]173-robert thought . "[179-helen talboys] [She]179-helen talboys would be capable of using [her]179-helen talboys influence with [[my]0-i uncle]991-my uncle to place [me]0-i in [a mad - house]3187-a mad - house . " [I]179-helen talboys do not say that [Robert Audley]173-robert was [a coward]7074-a coward , but [I]179-helen talboys will admit that a shiver of horror , something akin to fear , chilled [him]0-i to the heart as [he]0-i remembered the horrible things that have been done by [women]4642-women since that day upon which [Eve]298-eve was created to be [[Adam]299-adam 's companion]7076-adam 's companion and help - meet in [the garden of Eden]7077-the garden of eden . "[179-helen talboys] What if [this woman]557-this woman 's hellish power of dissimulation should be stronger than the truth , and crush [him]0-i ? [She]557-this woman had not spared [George Talboys]181-george talboys when [he]0-i stood in [her]557-this woman way and menaced [her]557-this woman with a certain peril ; would [she]557-this woman spare [him]0-i who threatened [her]557-this woman with a far greater danger ? Are [women]4642-women merciful , or loving , or kind in proportion to [their]4642-women beauty and grace ? Was there not [a certain [Monsieur Mazers de Latude]300-monsieur mazers de latude , who had the bad fortune to offend [the all - accomplished Madam de Pompadour , who expiated [his]0-i youthful indiscretion by a life - long imprisonment]3191-the all - accomplished madam de pompadour , who expiated his youthful indiscretion by a life - long imprisonment ; who twice escaped from prison , to be twice cast back into captivity ; who , trusting in the tardy generosity of [[his]0-i beautiful foe]3192-his beautiful foe]3190-a certain monsieur mazers de latude , who had the bad fortune to offend the all - accomplished madam de pompadour , who expiated his youthful indiscretion by a life - long imprisonment ; who twice escaped from prison , to be twice cast back into captivity ; who , trusting in the tardy generosity of his beautiful foe , betrayed [himself]0-i to [an implacable fiend]3193-an implacable fiend ? [Robert Audley]173-robert looked at the pale face of [the woman standing by [his]173-robert side]3194-the woman standing by his side ; that fair and beautiful face , illumined by starry - blue eyes , that had a strange and surely a dangerous light in them ; and remembering a hundred stories of womanly perfidy , shuddered as [he]173-robert thought how unequal the struggle might be between [himself]173-robert and [[his]173-robert uncle 's wife]1391-his uncle 's wife . " [I]173-robert have shown [her]1391-his uncle 's wife [my]173-robert cards , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert thought , " but [she]1391-his uncle 's wife has kept [hers]1391-his uncle 's wife hidden from [me]173-robert . The mask that [she]1391-his uncle 's wife wears is not to be plucked away . [[My]173-robert uncle]991-my uncle would rather think [me]173-robert mad than believe [her]1391-his uncle 's wife guilty . "[173-robert] The pale face of [Clara Talboys]256-clara talboys — that grave and earnest face , so different in its character to [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady 's fragile beauty — arose before [him]173-robert . " What [a coward]7074-a coward [I]173-robert am to think of [myself]173-robert or [my]173-robert own danger , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert thought . " The more [I]173-robert see of [this woman]557-this woman the more reason [I]173-robert have to dread [her]557-this woman influence upon [others]5097-others ; the more reason to wish [her]557-this woman far away from [this house]6101-this house . "[173-robert] [He]173-robert looked about [him]173-robert in the dusky obscurity . [The lonely garden]3197-the lonely garden was as quiet as [some solitary grave - yard]3198-some solitary grave - yard , walled in and hidden away from [the world of the living]3199-the world of the living . " It was somewhere in [this garden]7083-this garden that [she]557-this woman met [George Talboys]181-george talboys upon the day of [his]0-i disappearance , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert thought . " [I]173-robert wonder where it was [they]7084-they met ; [I]173-robert wonder where it was that [he]0-i looked into [her]557-this woman cruel face and taxed [her]557-this woman with [her]557-this woman falsehood ? "[173-robert] [[My]0-i lady]468-my lady , with [her]468-my lady little hand resting lightly upon the opposite post to that against which [Robert]173-robert leaned , toyed with [her]468-my lady pretty foot among the long weeds , but kept a furtive watch upon [[her]468-my lady enemy]3201-her enemy 's face . " It is to be a duel to the death , then , [[my]173-robert lady]468-my lady , "[173-robert] said [Robert Audley]173-robert , solemnly . " [You]468-my lady refuse to accept [my]173-robert warning . [You]468-my lady refuse to run away and repent of [your]468-my lady wickedness in [some foreign place]7086-some foreign place , far from [the generous gentleman [you]468-my lady have deceived and fooled by [your]468-my lady false witcheries]7087-the generous gentleman you have deceived and fooled by your false witcheries . [You]468-my lady choose to remain [here]4776-here and defy [me]173-robert . "[173-robert] " [I]150-lady audley do , "[150-lady audley] answered [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , lifting [her]150-lady audley head and looking full at [the young barrister]5094-the young barrister . " It is no fault of [mine]173-robert if [[my]150-lady audley husband 's nephew]7089-my husband 's nephew goes mad , and chooses [me]150-lady audley for [the victim of [[his]7089-my husband 's nephew monomania]7091-his monomania]7090-the victim of his monomania . "[150-lady audley] " So be it , then , [[my]173-robert lady]468-my lady , "[173-robert] answered [Robert]173-robert . " [[My]173-robert friend]836-my friend [George Talboys]181-george talboys was last seen entering [these gardens]7094-these gardens by the little iron gate by which [we]7095-we came in to - night . [He]836-my friend was last heard inquiring for [you]150-lady audley . [He]836-my friend was seen to enter [these gardens]7094-these gardens , but [he]836-my friend was never seen to leave [them]7094-these gardens . [I]173-robert believe that [he]836-my friend met [his]836-my friend death within the boundary of [these grounds]7097-these grounds ; and that [his]836-my friend body lies hidden below some quiet water , or in [some forgotten corner of [this place]5298-this place]7098-some forgotten corner of this place . [I]173-robert will have such a search made as shall level [that house]6322-that house to the earth and root up every tree in [these gardens]7094-these gardens , rather than [I]173-robert will fail in finding the grave of [[my]173-robert murdered friend]7102-my murdered friend . "[173-robert] [Lucy Audley]197-lucy uttered a long , low , wailing cry , and threw up [her]197-lucy arms above [her]197-lucy head with a wild gesture of despair , but [she]197-lucy made no answer to the ghastly charge of [[her]197-lucy accuser]3203-her accuser . [Her]197-lucy arms slowly dropped , and [she]197-lucy stood staring at [Robert Audley]173-robert , [her]197-lucy white face gleaming through the dusk , [her]197-lucy blue eyes glittering and dilated . " [You]173-robert shall never live to do this , "[197-lucy] [she]197-lucy said . " [I]197-lucy will kill [you]173-robert first . Why have [you]173-robert tormented [me]197-lucy so ? Why could [you]173-robert not let [me]197-lucy alone ? What harm had [I]197-lucy ever done [you]173-robert that [you]173-robert should make [yourself]173-robert [[my]197-lucy persecutor]7103-my persecutor , and dog [my]197-lucy steps , and watch [my]197-lucy looks , and play [the spy]7104-the spy upon [me]197-lucy ? Do [you]173-robert want to drive [me]197-lucy mad ? Do [you]173-robert know what it is to wrestle with [a mad - woman]7105-a mad - woman ? No , "[197-lucy] cried [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , with a laugh , " [you]173-robert do not , or [you]173-robert would never — "[468-my lady] [She]468-my lady stopped abruptly and drew [herself]468-my lady suddenly to [her]468-my lady fullest hight . It was the same action which [Robert]173-robert had seen in [the old half - drunken lieutenant]3205-the old half - drunken lieutenant ; and it had that same dignity — the sublimity of extreme misery . " Go away , [Mr. Audley]173-robert , "[468-my lady] [she]468-my lady said . " [You]173-robert are mad , [I]468-my lady tell [you]173-robert , [you]173-robert are mad . "[468-my lady] " [I]173-robert am going , [[my]173-robert lady]468-my lady , "[173-robert] answered [Robert]173-robert , quietly . " [I]173-robert would have condoned [your]173-robert crimes out of pity to [[your]173-robert wretcheness]7107-your wretcheness . [You]173-robert have refused to accept [my]173-robert mercy . [I]173-robert wished to have pity upon [the living]6022-the living . [I]173-robert shall henceforth only remember [my]173-robert duty to the dead . "[173-robert] [He]173-robert walked away from [the lonely well under the shadow of the limes]3206-the lonely well under the shadow of the limes . [[My]0-i lady]468-my lady followed [him]173-robert slowly down [that long , gloomy avenue]3208-that long , gloomy avenue , and across [the rustic bridge]3209-the rustic bridge to the iron gate . As [he]173-robert passed through the gate , [Alicia]190-alicia came out of a little half - glass door that opened from an oak - paneled breakfast - room at one angle of [the house]388-the house , and met [[her]190-alicia cousin]790-her cousin upon the threshold of the gateway . " [I]190-alicia have been looking for [you]667-the young man everywhere , [Robert]173-robert , "[190-alicia] [she]190-alicia said . " [Papa]188-papa has come down to [the library]5301-the library , and will be glad to see [you]667-the young man . "[190-alicia] [The young man]667-the young man started at the sound of [[his]667-the young man cousin]786-his cousin 's fresh young voice . " Good Heaven ! "[667-the young man] [he]667-the young man thought , " can [these two women]7110-these two women be of the same clay ? Can [this frank , generous - hearted girl , who can not conceal any impulse of [her]7111-this frank , generous - hearted girl , who can not conceal any impulse of her innocent nature , be of the same flesh and blood as that wretched creature whose shadow falls upon the path beside me innocent nature , be of the same flesh and blood as that wretched creature whose shadow falls upon the path beside [me]667-the young man]7111-this frank , generous - hearted girl , who can not conceal any impulse of her innocent nature , be of the same flesh and blood as that wretched creature whose shadow falls upon the path beside me ! "[667-the young man] [He]667-the young man looked from [[his]667-the young man cousin]786-his cousin to [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , who stood near the gateway , waiting for [him]667-the young man to stand aside and let [her]150-lady audley pass [him]667-the young man . " [I]468-my lady do n't know what has come to [[your]667-the young man cousin]5648-your cousin , [[my]468-my lady dear]4626-my dear [Alicia]190-alicia , "[468-my lady] said [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady . " [He]5648-your cousin is so absent - minded and eccentric as to be quite beyond [my]468-my lady comprehension . "[468-my lady] " Indeed , "[149-alicia] exclaimed [Miss Audley]149-alicia ; " and yet [I]149-alicia should imagine , from the length of [your]667-the young man tête - a - tête , that [you]667-the young man had made some effort to understand [him]5648-your cousin . "[149-alicia] " Oh , yes , "[173-robert] said [Robert]173-robert , quietly , " [[my]173-robert lady]468-my lady and [I]173-robert understand [each other]4890-each other very well ; but as it is growing late [I]173-robert will wish [you]468-my lady good - evening , [ladies]5997-ladies . [I]173-robert shall sleep to - night at [Mount Stanning]69-mount stanning , as [I]173-robert have some business to attend to up there , and [I]173-robert will come down and see [[my]173-robert uncle]991-my uncle to - morrow . "[173-robert] " What , [Robert]173-robert , "[149-alicia] cried [Alicia]149-alicia , " [you]173-robert surely wo n't go away without seeing [papa]1002-papa ? "[149-alicia] " Yes , [[my]667-the young man dear]4626-my dear , "[667-the young man] answered [the young man]667-the young man . " [I]667-the young man am a little disturbed by some disagreeable business in which [I]667-the young man am very much concerned , and [I]667-the young man would rather not see [[my]667-the young man uncle]991-my uncle . Good - night , [Alicia]149-alicia . [I]667-the young man will come or write to - morrow . "[667-the young man] [He]667-the young man pressed [[his]667-the young man cousin]786-his cousin 's hand , bowed to [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , and walked away under the black shadows of the archway , and out into [the quiet avenue beyond [the Court]373-the court]3218-the quiet avenue beyond the court . [[My]0-i lady]468-my lady and [Alicia]149-alicia stood watching [him]667-the young man until [he]667-the young man was out of sight . " What in goodness ' name is the matter with [[my]149-alicia Cousin]986-my cousin [Robert]173-robert ? "[149-alicia] exclaimed [Miss Audley]149-alicia , impatiently , as [the barrister]955-the barrister disappeared . " What does [he]173-robert mean by these absurd goings - on ? Some disagreeable business that disturbs [him]173-robert , indeed ! [I]149-alicia suppose [the unhappy creature]7122-the unhappy creature has had a brief forced upon [him]173-robert by [some evil - starred attorney]7123-some evil - starred attorney , and is sinking into a state of imbecility from a dim consciousness of [his]173-robert own incompetence . "[149-alicia] " Have [you]149-alicia ever studied [[your]0-i cousin]5648-your cousin 's character , [Alicia]149-alicia ? "[468-my lady] asked [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , very seriously , after a pause . " Studied [his]173-robert character ! No , [Lady Audley]150-lady audley . Why should [I]149-alicia study [his]173-robert character ? "[149-alicia] said [Alicia]149-alicia . " There is very little study required to convince [anybody]706-anybody that [he]173-robert is [a lazy , selfish Sybarite , who cares for nothing in [the world]519-the world except [his]173-robert own ease and comfort]7126-a lazy , selfish sybarite , who cares for nothing in the world except his own ease and comfort . "[149-alicia] " But have [you]149-alicia never thought [him]173-robert eccentric ? "[468-my lady] " Eccentric ! "[149-alicia] repeated [Alicia]149-alicia , pursing up [her]149-alicia red lips and shrugging up [her]149-alicia shoulders . " Well , yes — [I]149-alicia believe that is the excuse generally made for [such people]7128-such people . [I]149-alicia suppose [Bob]174-bob is eccentric . "[149-alicia] " [I]468-my lady have never heard [you]149-alicia speak of [[his]173-robert father]709-his father and [mother]7130-mother , "[468-my lady] said [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , thoughtfully . " Do [you]149-alicia remember [them]7131-them ? "[468-my lady] " [I]149-alicia never saw [[his]173-robert mother]533-his mother . [She]533-his mother was [a Miss Dalrymple , [a very dashing girl]7134-a very dashing girl , who ran away with [[my]149-alicia uncle]991-my uncle , and lost a very handsome fortune in consequence]7133-a miss dalrymple , a very dashing girl , who ran away with my uncle , and lost a very handsome fortune in consequence . [She]533-his mother died at [Nice]108-nice when poor [Bob]174-bob was five years old . "[149-alicia] " Did [you]149-alicia ever hear anything particular about [her]533-his mother ? "[149-alicia] " How do [you]149-alicia mean ' particular ? ' "[149-alicia] asked [Alicia]149-alicia . " Did [you]149-alicia ever hear that [she]533-his mother was eccentric — what [people]572-people call ' odd ? ' "[149-alicia] " Oh , no , "[149-alicia] said [Alicia]149-alicia , laughing . " [[My]149-alicia aunt]1040-my aunt was [a very reasonable woman]7138-a very reasonable woman , [I]149-alicia believe , though [she]533-his mother did marry for love . But [you]149-alicia must remember that [she]533-his mother died before [I]149-alicia was born , and [I]149-alicia have not , therefore , felt very much curiosity about [her]533-his mother . "[149-alicia] " But [you]149-alicia recollect [[your]149-alicia uncle]1016-your uncle , [I]149-alicia suppose . "[149-alicia] " [[My]149-alicia Uncle]991-my uncle [Robert]173-robert ? "[149-alicia] said [Alicia]149-alicia . " Oh , yes , [I]149-alicia remember [him]173-robert very well , indeed . "[149-alicia] " Was [he]173-robert eccentric — [I]149-alicia mean to say , peculiar in [his]173-robert habits , like [[your]149-alicia cousin]5648-your cousin ? "[149-alicia] " Yes , [I]149-alicia believe [Robert]173-robert inherits all [his]173-robert absurdities from [[his]173-robert father]709-his father . [[My]149-alicia uncle]991-my uncle expressed the same indifference for [his]173-robert fellow - creatures as [[my]149-alicia cousin]986-my cousin , but as [he]173-robert was [a good husband]7145-a good husband , [an affectionate father]7146-an affectionate father , and [a kind master]7147-a kind master , [nobody]566-nobody ever challenged [his]173-robert opinions . "[149-alicia] " But [he]173-robert was eccentric ? "[149-alicia] " Yes ; [I]149-alicia suppose [he]173-robert was generally thought a little eccentric . "[149-alicia] " Ah , "[468-my lady] said [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , gravely , " [I]468-my lady thought as much . Do [you]0-i know , [Alicia]149-alicia , that madness is more often transmitted from [father]2462-father to [daughter]1473-daughter , and from [mother]7130-mother to [daughter]1473-daughter than from [mother]7130-mother to [son]2463-son ? [[Your]149-alicia cousin]5648-your cousin , [Robert Audley]173-robert , is [a very handsome young man]7156-a very handsome young man , and [I]468-my lady believe , [a very good - hearted young man]7157-a very good - hearted young man , but [he]5648-your cousin must be watched , [Alicia]149-alicia , for [he]5648-your cousin is mad ! "[468-my lady] " Mad ! "[149-alicia] cried [Miss Audley]149-alicia , indignantly ; " [you]0-i are dreaming , [[my]5100-the young lady lady]468-my lady , or — or — [you]0-i are trying to frighten [me]5100-the young lady , "[5100-the young lady] added [the young lady]5100-the young lady , with considerable alarm . " [I]468-my lady only wish to put [you]0-i on [your]0-i guard , [Alicia]149-alicia , "[468-my lady] answered [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady . " [Mr. Audley]173-robert may be as [you]0-i say , merely eccentric ; but [he]173-robert has talked to [me]468-my lady this evening in a manner that has filled [me]468-my lady with absolute terror , and [I]468-my lady believe that [he]173-robert is going mad . [I]468-my lady shall speak very seriously to [Sir Michael]146-sir michael this very night . "[468-my lady] " Speak to [papa]1002-papa , "[149-alicia] exclaimed [Alicia]149-alicia ; " [you]1002-papa surely wo n't distress [papa]1002-papa by suggesting such a possibility ! "[149-alicia] " [I]468-my lady shall only put [him]173-robert on [his]173-robert guard , [[my]468-my lady dear]4626-my dear [Alicia]149-alicia . "[468-my lady] " But [he]173-robert 'll never believe [you]468-my lady , "[149-alicia] said [Miss Audley]149-alicia ; " [he]173-robert will laugh at such an idea . "[149-alicia] " No , [Alicia]149-alicia ; [he]173-robert will believe anything that [I]468-my lady tell [him]173-robert , "[468-my lady] answered [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , with a quiet smile . [Lady Audley]150-lady audley went from [the garden]452-the garden to [the library]5301-the library , [a pleasant , oak - paneled , homely apartment in which [Sir Michael]146-sir michael]3230-a pleasant , oak - paneled , homely apartment in which sir michael liked to sit reading or writing , or arranging the business of [[his]146-sir michael estate]3231-his estate with [[his]146-sir michael steward]3232-his steward , [a stalwart countryman]3233-a stalwart countryman , half agriculturalist , [half lawyer , who rented [a small farm a few miles from [the Court]373-the court]3235-a small farm a few miles from the court]3234-half lawyer , who rented a small farm a few miles from the court . [The baronet]465-the baronet was seated in a capacious easy - chair near the hearth . The bright blaze of the fire rose and fell , flashing now upon the polished carvings of the black - oak bookcase , now upon the gold and scarlet bindings of the books ; sometimes glimmering upon the Athenian helmet of a marble Pallas , sometimes lighting up the forehead of [Sir Robert Peel]301-sir robert peel . The lamp upon the reading - table had not yet been lighted , and [Sir Michael]146-sir michael sat in the firelight waiting for the coming of [[his]146-sir michael young wife]5117-his young wife . It is impossible for [me]0-i ever to tell the purity of [his]146-sir michael generous love — it is impossible to describe that affection which was as tender as the love of [a young mother]3239-a young mother for [her]3239-a young mother first born , as brave and chivalrous as the heroic passion of [a Bayard]302-a bayard for [[his]146-sir michael liege mistress]3240-his liege mistress . The door opened while [he]146-sir michael was thinking of [this fondly - loved wife]3241-this fondly - loved wife , and looking up , [the baronet]465-the baronet saw [the slender form standing in the doorway]3243-the slender form standing in the doorway . " Why , [[my]146-sir michael darling]4709-my darling ! "[146-sir michael] [he]146-sir michael exclaimed , as [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady closed the door behind [her]468-my lady , and came toward [his]146-sir michael chair , " [I]146-sir michael have been thinking of [you]4709-my darling and waiting for [you]4709-my darling for an hour . Where have [you]4709-my darling been , and what have [you]4709-my darling been doing ? "[146-sir michael] [[My]0-i lady]468-my lady , standing in the shadow rather than the light , paused a few moments before replying to this question . " [I]468-my lady have been to [Chelmsford]38-chelmsford , "[468-my lady] [she]468-my lady said , " shopping ; and — "[468-my lady] [She]468-my lady hesitated — twisting [her]468-my lady bonnet strings in [her]468-my lady thin white fingers with an air of pretty embarrassment . " And what , [[my]468-my lady dear]4626-my dear ? "[468-my lady] asked the baronet—"what have [you]4709-my darling been doing since [you]4709-my darling came from [Chelmsford]38-chelmsford ? [I]468-my lady heard [a carriage]5365-a carriage stop at the door an hour ago . It was [yours]4709-my darling , was it not ? "[468-my lady] " Yes , [I]468-my lady came [home]479-home an hour ago , "[468-my lady] answered [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , with the same air of embarrassment . " And what have [you]4709-my darling been doing since [you]4709-my darling came [home]479-home ? "[468-my lady] [Sir Michael Audley]146-sir michael asked this question with a slightly reproachful accent . [[His]146-sir michael young wife]5117-his young wife 's presence made the sunshine of [his]146-sir michael life ; and though [he]146-sir michael could not bear to chain [her]5117-his young wife to [his]146-sir michael side , it grieved [him]146-sir michael to think that [she]5117-his young wife could willingly remain unnecessarily absent from [him]146-sir michael , frittering away [her]5117-his young wife time in some childish talk or frivolous occupation . " What have [you]5117-his young wife been doing since [you]5117-his young wife came [home]479-home , [[my]146-sir michael dear]4626-my dear ? "[146-sir michael] [he]146-sir michael repeated . " What has kept [you]5117-his young wife so long away from [me]146-sir michael ? "[146-sir michael] " [I]5117-his young wife have been — talking — to — [Mr. Robert Audley]173-robert . "[5117-his young wife] [She]5117-his young wife still twisted [her]5117-his young wife bonnet - string round and round [her]5117-his young wife fingers . [She]5117-his young wife still spoke with the same air of embarrassment . " [Robert]173-robert ! "[465-the baronet] exclaimed [the baronet]465-the baronet ; " is [Robert]173-robert here ? "[465-the baronet] " [He]173-robert was [here]4776-here a little while ago . "[146-sir michael] " And is here still , [I]5117-his young wife suppose ? "[5117-his young wife] " No , [he]173-robert has gone away . "[465-the baronet] " Gone away ! "[146-sir michael] cried [Sir Michael]146-sir michael . " What do [you]5117-his young wife mean , [[my]146-sir michael darling]4709-my darling ? "[146-sir michael] " [I]465-the baronet mean that [[your]146-sir michael nephew]5819-your nephew came to [the Court]373-the court this afternoon . [Alicia]149-alicia and [I]465-the baronet found [him]5819-your nephew idling about [the gardens]414-the gardens . [He]5819-your nephew stayed [here]4776-here till about a quarter of an hour ago talking to [me]465-the baronet , and then [he]5819-your nephew hurried off without a word of explanation ; except , indeed , some ridiculous excuse about business at [Mount Stanning]69-mount stanning . "[465-the baronet] " Business at [Mount Stanning]69-mount stanning ! Why , what business can [he]5819-your nephew possibly have in [that out - of - [the - way place]7176-the - way place]7175-that out - of - the - way place ? [He]5819-your nephew has gone to sleep at [Mount Stanning]69-mount stanning , then , [I]146-sir michael suppose ? "[146-sir michael] Yes ; [I]0-i think [he]3249-he said something to that effect . " "[3249-he] Upon [my]0-i word , " exclaimed [the baronet]465-the baronet , "[3249-he] [I]0-i think [that boy]3250-that boy is half mad . " [[My]0-i lady]468-my lady 's face was so much in shadow , that [Sir Michael Audley]146-sir michael was unaware of the bright change that came over its sickly pallor as [he]146-sir michael made this very commonplace observation . A triumphant smile illuminated [Lucy Audley]197-lucy 's countenance , a smile that plainly said , "[0-i] It is coming — it is coming ; [I]0-i can twist [him]3250-that boy which way [I]0-i like . [I]0-i can put black before [him]3250-that boy , and if [I]0-i say it is white , [he]3250-that boy will believe [me]0-i . " But [Sir Michael Audley]146-sir michael in declaring that [[his]146-sir michael nephew]5177-his nephew 's wits were disordered , merely uttered that commonplace ejaculation which is well - known to have very little meaning . [The baronet]465-the baronet had , it is true , no very great estimate of [Robert]173-robert 's faculty for the business of this everyday life . [He]146-sir michael was in the habit of looking upon [[his]146-sir michael nephew]5177-his nephew as a good - natured nonentity — [a man whose heart had been amply stocked by liberal Nature with all the best things [the generous goddess had to bestow , but whose brain had been somewhat overlooked in the distribution of intellectual gifts]7183-the generous goddess had to bestow , but whose brain had been somewhat overlooked in the distribution of intellectual gifts]7182-a man whose heart had been amply stocked by liberal nature with all the best things the generous goddess had to bestow , but whose brain had been somewhat overlooked in the distribution of intellectual gifts . [Sir Michael Audley]146-sir michael made that mistake which is very commonly made by [easy - going , well - to - do - observers , who have no occasion to look below the surface]7184-easy - going , well - to - do - observers , who have no occasion to look below the surface . [He]146-sir michael mistook laziness for incapacity . [He]146-sir michael thought because [[his]146-sir michael nephew]5177-his nephew was idle , [he]146-sir michael must necessarily be stupid . [He]146-sir michael concluded that if [Robert]173-robert did not distinguish [himself]173-robert , it was because [he]173-robert could not . [He]146-sir michael forgot [the mute inglorious Miltons , who die voiceless and inarticulate for want of that dogged perseverance]7186-the mute inglorious miltons , who die voiceless and inarticulate for want of that dogged perseverance , that blind courage , which [the poet]2054-the poet must possess before [he]2054-the poet can find a publisher ; [he]146-sir michael forgot [the Cromwells]303-the cromwells , who see [the noble vessels of the state floundering upon a sea of confusion , and going down in a tempest of noisy bewilderment , and who yet are powerless to get at the helm]7188-the noble vessels of the state floundering upon a sea of confusion , and going down in a tempest of noisy bewilderment , and who yet are powerless to get at the helm ; forbidden even to send out [a life - boat]7189-a life - boat to [the sinking ship]7190-the sinking ship . Surely it is a mistake to judge of what [a man]445-a man can do by that which [he]445-a man has done . [The world]519-the world 's [Valhalla]109-valhalla is [a close borough]7193-a close borough , and perhaps [the greatest men]7194-the greatest men may be those who perish silently far away from the sacred portal . Perhaps the purest and brightest spirits are those who shrink from the turmoil of the race - course — the tumult and confusion of the struggle . The game of life is something like the game of écarte , and it may be that the very best cards are sometimes left in the pack . [[My]0-i lady]468-my lady threw off [her]468-my lady bonnet , and seated [herself]468-my lady upon a velvet - covered footstool at [Sir Michael]146-sir michael 's feet . There was nothing studied or affected in this girlish action . It was so natural to [Lucy Audley]197-lucy to be childish , that [no one]507-no one would have wished to see [her]197-lucy otherwise . It would have seemed as foolish to expect dignified reserve or womanly gravity from [this amber - haired siren]7197-this amber - haired siren , as to wish for rich basses amid the clear treble of a sky - lark 's song . [She]197-lucy sat with [her]197-lucy pale face turned away from the firelight , and with [her]197-lucy hands locked together upon the arm of [[her]197-lucy husband]469-her husband 's easy - chair . [They]7199-they were very restless , these slender white hands . [[My]0-i lady]468-my lady twisted the jeweled fingers in and out of each other as [she]468-my lady talked to [[her]197-lucy husband]469-her husband . "[0-i] [I]0-i wanted to come to [you]3251-you , [you]3251-you know , [dear]5809-dear , " said she—"I[0-i] wanted to come to [you]3251-you directly [I]0-i got [home]479-home , but [Mr. Audley]173-robert insisted upon [my]0-i stopping to talk to [him]173-robert . " "[173-robert] But what about , [[my]0-i love]3254-my love ? " asked [the baronet]465-the baronet . "[173-robert] What could [Robert]173-robert have to say to [you]3251-you ? " [[My]173-robert lady]468-my lady did not answer this question . [Her]468-my lady fair head dropped upon [[her]468-my lady husband]469-her husband 's knee , [her]468-my lady rippling , yellow curls fell over [her]468-my lady face . [Sir Michael]146-sir michael lifted that beautiful head with [his]146-sir michael strong hands , and raised [[my]173-robert lady]468-my lady 's face . The firelight shining on that pale face lit up the large , soft blue eyes and showed them drowned in tears . "[173-robert] [Lucy]197-lucy , [Lucy]197-lucy ! " cried [the baronet]465-the baronet , "[197-lucy] what is the meaning of this ? [My]0-i love , [[my]0-i love]3254-my love ! what has happened to distress [you]3251-you in this manner ? " [Lady Audley]150-lady audley tried to speak , but the words died inarticulately upon [her]150-lady audley trembling lips . A choking sensation in [her]150-lady audley throat seemed to strangle those false and plausible words , [her]150-lady audley only armor against [[her]150-lady audley enemies]7207-her enemies . [She]150-lady audley could not speak . The agony [she]150-lady audley had endured silently in the dismal lime - walk had grown too strong for [her]150-lady audley , and [she]150-lady audley broke into a tempest of hysterical sobbing . It was no simulated grief that shook [her]150-lady audley slender frame and tore at [her]150-lady audley like some ravenous beast that would have rent [her]150-lady audley piecemeal with its horrible strength . It was a storm of real anguish and terror , of remorse and misery . It was the one wild outcry , in which [the woman]5008-the woman 's feebler nature got the better of the siren 's art . It was not thus that [she]150-lady audley had meant to fight [her]150-lady audley terrible duel with [Robert Audley]173-robert . Those were not the weapons which [she]150-lady audley had intended to use ; but perhaps no artifice which [she]150-lady audley could have devised would have served [her]150-lady audley so well as this one outburst of natural grief . It shook [[her]150-lady audley husband]469-her husband to the very soul . It bewildered and terrified [him]469-her husband . It reduced the strong intellect of [the man]634-the man to helpless confusion and perplexity . It struck at the one weak point in [a good man]7211-a good man 's nature . It appealed straight to [Sir Michael Audley]146-sir michael 's affection for [[his]146-sir michael wife]554-his wife . Ah , Heaven help [a strong man]2874-a strong man 's tender weakness for [the woman [he]2874-a strong man loves]7214-the woman he loves ! Heaven pity [him]2874-a strong man when [the guilty creature]7215-the guilty creature has deceived [him]2874-a strong man and comes with [her]7215-the guilty creature tears and lamentations to throw [herself]7215-the guilty creature at [his]2874-a strong man feet in self - abandonment and remorse ; torturing [him]2874-a strong man with the sight of [her]7215-the guilty creature agony ; rending [his]2874-a strong man heart with [her]7215-the guilty creature sobs , lacerating [his]2874-a strong man breast with [her]7215-the guilty creature groans — multiplying [her]7215-the guilty creature sufferings into a great anguish for [him]2874-a strong man to bear ! multiplying them by twenty - fold ; multiplying [them]7216-them in a ratio of [a brave man]7217-a brave man 's capacity for endurance . [Heaven]201-heaven forgive [him]2874-a strong man , if maddened by that cruel agony , the balance wavers for a moment , and [he]2874-a strong man is ready to forgive anything ; ready to take [this wretched one]7218-this wretched one to the shelter of [his]2874-a strong man breast , and to pardon that which the stern voice of manly honor urges must not be pardoned . Pity [him]2874-a strong man , pity [him]2874-a strong man ! [The wife]7219-the wife 's worst remorse when [she]7219-the wife stands without the threshold of [the home]7220-the home [she]7219-the wife may never enter more is not equal to the agony of [the husband who closes the portal on that familiar and entreating face]7221-the husband who closes the portal on that familiar and entreating face . The anguish of [the mother who may never look again upon [[her]7219-the wife children]7223-her children is less than the torment of [the father]2066-the father who has to say to [those little ones]7225-those little ones , "[0-i] [[My]0-i darlings]3256-my darlings , [you]3256-my darlings are henceforth motherless]7222-the mother who may never look again upon her children is less than the torment of the father who has to say to those little ones , " my darlings , you are henceforth motherless . " [Sir Michael Audley]146-sir michael rose from [his]146-sir michael chair , trembling with indignation , and ready to do immediate battle with [the person who had caused [[his]146-sir michael wife]554-his wife 's grief]7226-the person who had caused his wife 's grief . "[197-lucy] [Lucy]197-lucy , " [he]0-i said , "[197-lucy] [Lucy]197-lucy , [I]0-i insist upon [your]197-lucy telling [me]0-i what and who has distressed [you]197-lucy . [I]0-i insist upon it . Whoever has annoyed [you]197-lucy shall answer to [me]0-i for [your]197-lucy grief . Come , [[my]0-i love]3254-my love , tell [me]0-i directly what it is . " [He]0-i seated [himself]0-i and bent over the drooping figure at [his]0-i feet , calming [his]0-i own agitation in [his]0-i desire to soothe [[his]0-i wife]554-his wife 's distress . "[0-i] Tell [me]0-i what it is , [[my]0-i dear]4626-my dear , " [he]0-i whispered , tenderly . The sharp paroxysm had passed away , and [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady looked up . A glittering light shone through the tears in [her]468-my lady eyes , and the lines about [her]468-my lady pretty rosy mouth , those hard and cruel lines which [Robert Audley]173-robert had observed in the pre - Raphaelite portrait , were plainly visible in the firelight . "[0-i] [I]0-i am very silly , " [she]468-my lady said ; "[0-i] but really [he]0-i has made [me]0-i quite hysterical . " "[0-i] Who — who has made [you]0-i hysterical ? " "[5819-your nephew] [[Your]0-i nephew]5819-your nephew — [Mr. Robert Audley]173-robert . " "[173-robert] [Robert]173-robert , " cried [the baronet]465-the baronet . "[173-robert] [Lucy]197-lucy , what do [you]0-i mean ? " "[0-i] [I]0-i told [you]0-i that [Mr. Audley]173-robert insisted upon [my]0-i going into [the lime - walk]5297-the lime - walk , [dear]5809-dear , " said [[my]173-robert lady]468-my lady . "[173-robert] [He]173-robert wanted to talk to [me]0-i , [he]173-robert said , and [I]0-i went , and [he]173-robert said such horrible things that — " "[173-robert] What horrible things , [Lucy]197-lucy ? " [Lady Audley]150-lady audley shuddered , and clung with convulsive fingers to the strong hand that had rested caressingly upon [her]150-lady audley shoulder . "[173-robert] What did [he]173-robert say , [Lucy]197-lucy ? " "[173-robert] Oh , [[my]0-i dear love]3262-my dear love , how can [I]0-i tell [you]3262-my dear love ? " cried [[my]173-robert lady]468-my lady . "[173-robert] [I]0-i know that [I]0-i shall distress [you]3262-my dear love — or [you]3262-my dear love will laugh at [me]0-i , and then — " "[3262-my dear love] Laugh at [you]3262-my dear love ? no , [Lucy]197-lucy . " [Lady Audley]150-lady audley was silent for a moment . [She]150-lady audley sat looking straight before [her]150-lady audley into the fire , with [her]150-lady audley fingers still locked about [[her]150-lady audley husband]469-her husband 's hand . "[197-lucy] [[My]0-i dear]4626-my dear , " [she]150-lady audley said , slowly , hesitating now and then between [her]150-lady audley words , as if [she]150-lady audley almost shrunk from uttering them , "[197-lucy] have [you]3262-my dear love ever — [I]0-i am so afraid of vexing [you]3262-my dear love — have [you]3262-my dear love ever thought [Mr. Audley]173-robert a little — a little — " "[173-robert] A little what , [[my]0-i darling]4709-my darling ? " "[173-robert] A little out of [his]173-robert mind ? " faltered [Lady Audley]150-lady audley . "[173-robert] Out of [his]173-robert mind ! " cried [Sir Michael]146-sir michael . "[173-robert] [[My]0-i dear girl]3265-my dear girl , what are [you]3265-my dear girl thinking of ? " "[3265-my dear girl] [You]3265-my dear girl said just now , [dear]5809-dear , that [you]3265-my dear girl thought [he]173-robert was half mad . " "[3265-my dear girl] Did [I]0-i , [[my]0-i love]3254-my love ? " said [the baronet]465-the baronet , laughing . "[0-i] [I]0-i do n't remember saying it , and it was a mere façon [de parler]304-de parler , that meant nothing whatever . [Robert]173-robert may be [a little eccentric]3268-a little eccentric — a little stupid , perhaps — [he]173-robert may n't be overburdened with wits , but [I]0-i do n't think [he]173-robert has brains enough for madness . [I]0-i believe it 's generally [your]3265-my dear girl great intellects that get out of order . " "[0-i] But madness is sometimes hereditary , " said [[my]173-robert lady]468-my lady . "[173-robert] [Mr. Audley]173-robert may have inherited — " "[173-robert] [He]173-robert has inherited no madness from [[[his]173-robert father]709-his father 's family]3270-his father 's family , " interrupted [Sir Michael]146-sir michael . "[173-robert] [The Audleys]305-the audleys have never peopled [private lunatic asylums]3271-private lunatic asylums or fed [mad doctors]3272-mad doctors . " "[173-robert] Nor from [[[his]173-robert mother]533-his mother 's family]3274-his mother 's family ? " "[3274-his mother 's family] Not to [my]0-i knowledge . " "[3274-his mother 's family] [People]572-people generally keep these things a secret , " said [[my]572-people lady]468-my lady , gravely . "[572-people] There may have been madness in [[[your]0-i sister]3276-your sister - in - law 's family]3277-your sister - in - law 's family . " "[0-i] [I]0-i do n't think so , [[my]0-i dear]4626-my dear , " replied [Sir Michael]146-sir michael . "[0-i] But , [Lucy]197-lucy , tell [me]0-i what , in [Heaven]201-heaven 's name , has put this idea into [your]197-lucy head . " "[0-i] [I]0-i have been trying to account for [[your]0-i nephew]5819-your nephew 's conduct . [I]0-i can account for it in no other manner . If [you]197-lucy had heard the things [he]5819-your nephew said to [me]0-i to - night , [Sir Michael]146-sir michael , [you]197-lucy too might have thought [him]5819-your nephew mad . " "[5819-your nephew] But what did [he]5819-your nephew say , [Lucy]197-lucy ? " "[5819-your nephew] [I]0-i can scarcely tell [you]197-lucy . [You]197-lucy can see how much [he]5819-your nephew has stupefied and bewildered [me]0-i . [I]0-i believe [he]5819-your nephew has lived too long alone in [those solitary Temple chambers]3280-those solitary temple chambers . Perhaps [he]5819-your nephew reads too much , or smokes too much . [You]197-lucy know that [some physicians]3281-some physicians declare madness to be a mere illness of the brain — an illness to which any one is subject , and which may be produced by given causes , and cured by given means . " [Lady Audley]150-lady audley 's eyes were still fixed upon the burning coals in the wide grate . [She]150-lady audley spoke as if [she]150-lady audley had been discussing a subject that [she]150-lady audley had often heard discussed before . [She]150-lady audley spoke as if [her]150-lady audley mind had almost wandered away from the thought of [[[her]150-lady audley husband]469-her husband 's nephew]7012-her husband 's nephew to the wider question of madness in the abstract . "[3281-some physicians] Why should [he]5819-your nephew not be mad ? " resumed [[my]572-people lady]468-my lady . "[572-people] [People]572-people are insane for years and years before [their]572-people insanity is found out . [They]572-people know that [they]572-people are mad , but [they]572-people know how to keep [their]572-people secret ; and , perhaps , [they]572-people may sometimes keep it till [they]572-people die . Sometimes [a paroxysm]3283-a paroxysm seizes [them]572-people , and in an evil hour [they]572-people betray [themselves]572-people . [They]572-people commit a crime , perhaps . The horrible temptation of opportunity assails [them]572-people ; the knife is in [their]572-people hand , and [the unconscious victim]3284-the unconscious victim by [their]572-people side . [They]572-people may conquer the restless demon and go away and die innocent of any violent deed ; but [they]572-people may yield to the horrible temptation — the frightful , passionate , hungry craving for violence and horror . [They]572-people sometimes yield and are lost . " [Lady Audley]150-lady audley 's voice rose as [she]150-lady audley argued this dreadful question , The hysterical excitement from which [she]150-lady audley had only just recovered had left its effects upon [her]150-lady audley , but [she]150-lady audley controlled [herself]150-lady audley , and [her]150-lady audley tone grew calmer as [she]150-lady audley resumed : "[572-people] [Robert Audley]173-robert is mad , " [she]150-lady audley said , decisively . "[173-robert] What is one of the strangest diagnostics of madness — what is the first appalling sign of mental aberration ? The mind becomes stationary ; the brain stagnates ; the even current of reflection is interrupted ; the thinking power of the brain resolves itself into a monotone . As the waters of [a tideless pool]3285-a tideless pool putrefy by reason of [their]3286-their stagnation , the mind becomes turbid and corrupt through lack of action ; and the perpetual reflection upon [one subject]3287-one subject resolves itself into monomania . [Robert Audley]173-robert is [a monomaniac]5960-a monomaniac . The disappearance of [[his]173-robert friend]4909-his friend , [George Talboys]181-george talboys , grieved and bewildered [him]173-robert . [He]173-robert dwelt upon this one idea until [he]173-robert lost the power of thinking of anything else . The one idea looked at perpetually became distorted to [his]173-robert mental vision . Repeat the commonest word in the English language twenty times , and before the twentieth repetition [you]3290-you will have begun to wonder whether the word which [you]3290-you repeat is really the word [you]3290-you mean to utter . [Robert Audley]173-robert has thought of [[his]173-robert friend]4909-his friend 's disappearance until the one idea has done its fatal and unhealthy work . [He]173-robert looks at a common event with a vision that is diseased , and [he]173-robert distorts it into a gloomy horror engendered of [his]173-robert own monomania . If [you]3290-you do not want to make [me]0-i as mad as [he]173-robert is , [you]3290-you must never let [me]0-i see [him]173-robert again . [He]173-robert declared to - night that [George Talboys]181-george talboys was murdered in [this place]5298-this place , and that [he]173-robert will root up every tree in [the garden]452-the garden , and pull down every brick in [the house]388-the house in search for — " [[My]173-robert lady]468-my lady paused . The words died away upon [her]468-my lady lips . [She]468-my lady had exhausted [herself]468-my lady by the strange energy with which [she]468-my lady had spoken . [She]468-my lady had been transformed from a frivolous , childish beauty into [a woman]503-a woman , strong to argue [her]468-my lady own cause and plead [her]468-my lady own defense . "[173-robert] Pull down [this house]6101-this house ? " cried [the baronet]465-the baronet . "[173-robert] [George Talboys]181-george talboys murdered at [Audley Court]1-audley court ! Did [Robert]173-robert say this , [Lucy]197-lucy ? " "[173-robert] [He]173-robert said something of that kind — something that frightened [me]0-i very much . " "[173-robert] Then [he]173-robert must be mad , " said [Sir Michael]146-sir michael , gravely . "[173-robert] [I]0-i 'm bewildered by what [you]197-lucy tell [me]0-i . Did [he]173-robert really say this , [Lucy]197-lucy , or did [you]197-lucy misunderstand [him]173-robert ? " "[173-robert] [I]0-i — [I]0-i — don't think [I]0-i did , " faltered [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady . "[0-i] [You]197-lucy saw how frightened [I]0-i was when [I]0-i first came in . [I]0-i should not have been so much agitated if [he]173-robert had n't said something horrible . " [Lady Audley]150-lady audley had availed [herself]150-lady audley of the very strongest arguments by which [she]150-lady audley could help [her]150-lady audley cause . "[173-robert] To be sure , [[my]0-i darling]4709-my darling , to be sure , " answered [the baronet]465-the baronet . "[173-robert] What could have put such a horrible fancy into [the unhappy boy]3297-the unhappy boy 's head . [This Mr. Talboys]157-george — [a perfect stranger to all of [us]3299-us]3298-a perfect stranger to all of us — murdered at [Audley Court]1-audley court ! [I]0-i 'll go to [Mount Stanning]69-mount stanning to - night , and see [Robert]173-robert . [I]0-i have known [him]173-robert ever since [he]173-robert was [a baby]4838-a baby , and [I]0-i can not be deceived in [him]173-robert . If there is really anything wrong , [he]173-robert will not be able to conceal it from [me]0-i . " [[My]173-robert lady]468-my lady shrugged [her]468-my lady shoulders . "[173-robert] That is rather an open question , " [she]468-my lady said . "[173-robert] It is generally [a stranger who is the first to observe any psychological peculiarity]3301-a stranger who is the first to observe any psychological peculiarity . " The big words sounded strange from [[my]3301-a stranger who is the first to observe any psychological peculiarity lady]468-my lady 's rosy lips ; but [her]468-my lady newly - adopted wisdom had a certain quaint prettiness about it , which charmed and bewildered [[her]468-my lady husband]469-her husband . "[3301-a stranger who is the first to observe any psychological peculiarity] But [you]3302-you must not go to [Mount Stanning]69-mount stanning , [[my]0-i dear darling]5955-my dear darling , " [she]468-my lady said , tenderly . "[3302-you] Remember that [you]3302-you are under strict orders to stay in [doors]3304-doors until the weather is milder , and the sun shines upon [this cruel ice - bound country]3305-this cruel ice - bound country . " [Sir Michael Audley]146-sir michael sank back in [his]146-sir michael capacious chair with a sigh of resignation . "[197-lucy] That 's true , [Lucy]197-lucy , " [he]146-sir michael said ; "[197-lucy] [we]3306-we must obey [Mr. Dawson]151-mr. dawson . [I]0-i suppose [Robert]173-robert will come to see [me]0-i to - morrow . " "[173-robert] Yes , [dear]5809-dear . [I]0-i think [he]173-robert said [he]173-robert would . " "[173-robert] Then [we]3306-we must wait till to - morrow , [[my]0-i darling]4709-my darling . [I]0-i ca n't believe that there really is anything wrong with [the poor boy]3309-the poor boy — [I]0-i ca n't believe it , [Lucy]197-lucy . " "[0-i] Then how do [you]0-i account for this extraordinary delusion about this [Mr. Talboys]157-george ? " asked [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady . [Sir Michael]146-sir michael shook [his]146-sir michael head . "[0-i] [I]0-i do n't know , [Lucy]197-lucy — [I]0-i do n't know , " [he]0-i answered . "[0-i] It is always so difficult to believe that any one of the calamities that continually befall [[our]3306-we fellow - men]3310-our fellow - men will ever happen to [us]3306-we . [I]0-i ca n't believe that [[my]0-i nephew]3311-my nephew 's mind is impaired — [I]0-i ca n't believe it . [I]0-i — [I'll]0-i get [him]3311-my nephew to stop here , [Lucy]197-lucy , and [I]0-i 'll watch [him]3311-my nephew closely . [I]0-i tell [you]197-lucy , [[my]0-i love]3254-my love , if there is anything wrong [I]0-i am sure to find it out . [I]0-i ca n't be mistaken in [a young man who has always been the same to [me]0-i as [[my]0-i own son]3314-my own son]3313-a young man who has always been the same to me as my own son . But , [[my]0-i darling]4709-my darling , why were [you]197-lucy so frightened by [Robert]173-robert 's wild talk ? It could not affect [you]197-lucy . " [[My]3316-you lady]468-my lady sighed piteously . "[3316-you] [You]3316-you must think [me]0-i very strong - minded , [Sir Michael]146-sir michael , " [she]468-my lady said , with rather an injured air , "[146-sir michael] if [you]3316-you imagine [I]0-i can hear of these sort of things indifferently . [I]0-i know [I]0-i shall never be able to see [Mr. Audley]173-robert again . " "[173-robert] And [you]3316-you shall not , [[my]0-i dear]4626-my dear — [you]3316-you shall not . " "[3316-you] [You]3316-you said just now [you]3316-you would have [him]173-robert here , " murmured [Lady Audley]150-lady audley . "[3316-you] But [I]0-i will not , [[my]0-i darling girl]3318-my darling girl , if [his]173-robert presence annoys [you]3318-my darling girl . [Good Heaven]201-heaven ! [Lucy]197-lucy , can [you]3318-my darling girl imagine for a moment that [I]0-i have any higher wish than to promote [your]3318-my darling girl happiness ? [I]0-i will consult [some London physician]3319-some london physician about [Robert]173-robert , and let [him]3319-some london physician discover if there is really anything the matter with [[my]0-i poor brother 's only son]3320-my poor brother 's only son . [You]3318-my darling girl shall not be annoyed , [Lucy]197-lucy . " "[197-lucy] [You]3318-my darling girl must think [me]0-i very unkind , [dear]5809-dear , " said [[my]3318-my darling girl lady]468-my lady , "[3318-my darling girl] and [I]0-i know [I]0-i ought not to be annoyed by [the poor fellow]5680-the poor fellow ; but [he]5680-the poor fellow really seems to have taken some absurd notion into [his]5680-the poor fellow head about [me]0-i . " "[5680-the poor fellow] About [you]197-lucy , [Lucy]197-lucy ! " cried [Sir Michael]146-sir michael . "[5809-dear] Yes , [dear]5809-dear . [He]5680-the poor fellow seems to connect [me]0-i in some vague manner — which [I]0-i can not quite understand — with the disappearance of [this Mr. Talboys]157-george . " "[157-george] Impossible , [Lucy]197-lucy ! [You]3318-my darling girl must have misunderstood [him]5680-the poor fellow . " "[3318-my darling girl] [I]0-i do n't think so . " "[3318-my darling girl] Then [he]5680-the poor fellow must be mad , " said [the baronet—"he]7251-the baronet—"he[5680-the poor fellow] must be mad . [I]0-i will wait till [he]5680-the poor fellow goes back to [town]864-town , and then send [some one]3325-some one to [[his]5680-the poor fellow chambers]4865-his chambers to talk to [him]5680-the poor fellow . Good Heaven ! what a mysterious business this is . " "[0-i] [I]0-i fear [I]0-i have distressed [you]5809-dear , [darling]5810-darling , " murmured [Lady Audley]150-lady audley . "[0-i] Yes , [[my]0-i dear]4626-my dear , [I]0-i am very much distressed by what [you]5809-dear have told [me]0-i ; but [you]5809-dear were quite right to talk to [me]0-i frankly about this dreadful business . [I]0-i must think it over , [dearest]3329-dearest , and try and decide what is best to be done . " [[My]5809-dear lady]468-my lady rose from the low ottoman on which [she]468-my lady had been seated . The fire had burned down , and there was only a faint glow of red light in [the room]595-the room . [Lucy Audley]197-lucy bent over [[her]197-lucy husband]469-her husband 's chair , and put [her]197-lucy lips to [his]5809-dear broad forehead . "[5809-dear] How good [you]5809-dear have always been to [me]0-i , [dear]5809-dear , " [she]197-lucy whispered softly . "[5809-dear] [You]5809-dear would never let [any one]5101-any one influence [you]5809-dear against [me]0-i , would [you]5809-dear , [dear]5809-dear ? " "[5809-dear] Influence [me]0-i against [you]0-i ? " repeated [the baronet]465-the baronet . "[5809-dear] No , [[my]0-i love]3254-my love . " "[5809-dear] Because [you]5809-dear know , [dear]5809-dear , " pursued [[my]5809-dear lady]468-my lady , "[5809-dear] there are [wicked people]3335-wicked people as well as [mad people]3336-mad people in [the world]519-the world , and there may be [some persons to whose interest it would be]3338-some persons to whose interest it would be to injure [me]0-i . " "[3339-they] [They]3339-they had better not try it , then , [[my]0-i dear]4626-my dear , " answered [Sir Michael]146-sir michael ; "[3339-they] [they]3339-they would find [themselves]3339-they in rather a dangerous position if [they]3339-they did . " [Lady Audley]150-lady audley laughed aloud , with a gay , triumphant , silvery peal of laughter that vibrated through [the quiet room]7257-the quiet room . "[0-i] [[My]0-i own dear darling]3341-my own dear darling , " [she]150-lady audley said , "[0-i] [I]0-i know [you]3341-my own dear darling love [me]0-i . And now [I]0-i must run away , [dear]5809-dear , for it 's past seven o'clock . [I]0-i was engaged to dine at [Mrs. Montford]306-mrs. montford 's , but [I]0-i must send [a groom]3343-a groom with a message of apology , for [Mr. Audley]173-robert has made [me]0-i quite unfit for company . [I]0-i shall stay at [home]479-home and nurse [you]5809-dear , [dear]5809-dear . [You]5809-dear 'll go to bed very early , wo n't [you]5809-dear , and take great care of [yourself]5809-dear ? " "[5809-dear] Yes , [dear]5809-dear . " [[My]5809-dear lady]468-my lady tripped out of [the room]595-the room to give [her]468-my lady orders about the message that was to be carried to [the house at which [she]468-my lady was to have dined]7260-the house at which she was to have dined . [She]468-my lady paused for a moment as [she]468-my lady closed the library door — [she]468-my lady paused , and laid [her]468-my lady hand upon [her]468-my lady breast to check the rapid throbbing of [her]468-my lady heart . "[5809-dear] [I]0-i have been afraid of [you]5809-dear , [Mr. Robert Audley]173-robert , " [she]468-my lady thought ; "[0-i] but perhaps the time may come in which [you]5809-dear will have cause to be afraid of [me]0-i . " The division between [Lady Audley]150-lady audley and [[her]150-lady audley step - daughter]5225-her step - daughter had not become any narrower in the two months which had elapsed since the pleasant Christmas holiday time had been kept at [Audley Court]1-audley court . There was no open warfare between [the two women]1218-the two women ; there was only an armed neutrality , broken every now and then by brief feminine skirmishes and transient wordy tempests . [I]5809-dear am sorry to say that [Alicia]149-alicia would very much have preferred a hearty pitched battle to this silent and undemonstrative disunion ; but it was not very easy to quarrel with [[my]5809-dear lady]468-my lady . [She]149-alicia had soft answers for the turning away of wrath . [She]149-alicia could smile bewitchingly at [[her]150-lady audley step - daughter]5225-her step - daughter 's open petulance , and laugh merrily at [the young lady]5100-the young lady 's ill - temper . Perhaps had [she]149-alicia been less amiable , had [she]149-alicia been more like [Alicia]149-alicia in disposition , [the two ladies]6529-the two ladies might have expended [their]6529-the two ladies enmity in one tremendous quarrel , and might ever afterward have been affectionate and friendly . But [Lucy Audley]197-lucy would not make war . [She]197-lucy carried forward the sum of [her]197-lucy dislike , and put it out at a steady rate of interest , until the breach between [[her]197-lucy step - daughter]5225-her step - daughter and [herself]197-lucy , widening a little every day , became a great gulf , utterly impassable by olive - branch - bearing doves from either side of [the abyss]7268-the abyss . There can be no reconciliation where there is no open warfare . There must be a battle , a brave , boisterous battle , with pennants waving and cannon roaring , before there can be peaceful treaties and enthusiastic shaking of hands . Perhaps the union between [France]110-france and [England]7-england owes its greatest force to the recollection of [Cressy]307-cressy and [Waterloo]308-waterloo , [Navarino]309-navarino and [Trafalgar]111-trafalgar . [We]7269-we have hated [each other]4890-each other and licked [each other]4890-each other and had it out , as the common phrase goes ; and [we]7269-we can afford now to fall into [each others]7272-each others ' arms and vow eternal friendship and everlasting brotherhood . Let [us]7269-we hope that when Northern Yankeedom has decimated and been decimated , blustering [Jonathan]310-jonathan may fling [himself]310-jonathan upon [[his]310-jonathan Southern brother]7273-his southern brother 's breast , forgiving and forgiven . [Alicia Audley]149-alicia and [[her]149-alicia father 's pretty wife]7274-her father 's pretty wife had plenty of room for the comfortable indulgence of [their]7269-we dislike in [the spacious old mansion]7275-the spacious old mansion . [[My]5809-dear lady]468-my lady had [[her]468-my lady own apartments]1788-her own apartments , as [we]7269-we know — [luxurious chambers , in which all conceivable elegancies had been gathered for the comfort of [[their]7269-we occupant]7279-their occupant]7278-luxurious chambers , in which all conceivable elegancies had been gathered for the comfort of their occupant . [Alicia]149-alicia had [[her]149-alicia own rooms]1213-her own rooms in [another part of [the large house]7282-the large house]7281-another part of the large house . [She]149-alicia had [her]149-alicia favorite mare , [her]149-alicia Newfoundland dog , and [her]149-alicia drawing materials , and [she]149-alicia made [herself]149-alicia tolerably happy . [She]149-alicia was not very happy , [this frank , generous - hearted girl]7283-this frank , generous - hearted girl , for it was scarcely possible that [she]149-alicia could be altogether at ease in the constrained atmosphere of [the Court]373-the court . [[Her]149-alicia father]481-her father was changed ; [that dear father over whom [she]149-alicia had once reigned supreme with the boundless authority of [a spoiled child]7287-a spoiled child]7286-that dear father over whom she had once reigned supreme with the boundless authority of a spoiled child , had accepted [another ruler]7288-another ruler and submitted to [a new dynasty]7289-a new dynasty . Little by little [[my]5809-dear lady]468-my lady 's petty power made itself felt in [that narrow household]7291-that narrow household ; and [Alicia]149-alicia saw [[her]149-alicia father]481-her father gradually lured across the gulf that divided [Lady Audley]150-lady audley from [[her]150-lady audley step - daughter]5225-her step - daughter , until [he]481-her father stood at last quite upon the other side of [the abyss]7268-the abyss , and looked coldly upon [[his]481-her father only child]4702-his only child across that widening chasm . [Alicia]149-alicia felt that [he]481-her father was lost to [her]149-alicia . [[My]5809-dear lady]468-my lady 's beaming smiles , [[my]5809-dear lady]468-my lady 's winning words , [[my]5809-dear lady]468-my lady 's radiant glances and bewitching graces had done [their]7299-their work of enchantment , and [Sir Michael]146-sir michael had grown to look upon [[his]146-sir michael daughter]556-his daughter as [a somewhat wilful and capricious young person who had behaved with determined unkindness to [the wife [he]146-sir michael loved]7302-the wife he loved]7301-a somewhat wilful and capricious young person who had behaved with determined unkindness to the wife he loved . [Poor Alicia]190-alicia saw all this , and bore [her]190-alicia burden as well as [she]190-alicia could . It seemed very hard to be [a handsome , gray - eyed heiress]7303-a handsome , gray - eyed heiress , with dogs and horses and [servants]7304-servants at [her]190-alicia command , and yet to be so much alone in [the world]519-the world as to know of not one friendly ear into which [she]190-alicia might pour [her]190-alicia sorrows . "[5809-dear] If [Bob]174-bob was good for anything [I]0-i could have told [him]174-bob how unhappy [I]0-i am , " thought [Miss Audley]149-alicia ; "[0-i] but [I]0-i may just as well tell [Caesar]196-caesar [my]0-i troubles for any consolation [I]0-i should get from [Cousin Robert]311-cousin robert . " [Sir Michael Audley]146-sir michael obeyed [[his]146-sir michael pretty nurse]7306-his pretty nurse , and went to bed a little after nine o'clock upon this bleak March evening . Perhaps [[the baronet]465-the baronet 's bedroom]7308-the baronet 's bedroom was about the pleasantést retreat that [an invalid]7309-an invalid could have chosen in such cold and cheerless weather . The dark - green velvet curtains were drawn before the windows and about the ponderous bed . The wood fire burned redly upon the broad hearth . The reading lamp was lighted upon a delicious little table close to [Sir Michael]146-sir michael 's pillow , and a heap of magazines and newspapers had been arranged by [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady 's own fair hands for the pleasure of [the invalid]7311-the invalid . [Lady Audley]150-lady audley sat by the bedside for about ten minutes , talking to [[her]150-lady audley husband]469-her husband , talking very seriously , about this strange and awful question — [Robert Audley]173-robert 's lunacy ; but at the end of that time [she]150-lady audley rose and bade [[her]150-lady audley husband]469-her husband good - night . [She]150-lady audley lowered the green silk shade before the reading lamp , adjusting it carefully for the repose of [the baronet]465-the baronet 's eyes . "[0-i] [I]0-i shall leave [you]3347-my , [dear]5809-dear , " [she]150-lady audley said . "[0-i] If [you]3347-my can sleep , so much the better . If [you]3347-my wish to read , the books and papers are close to [you]3347-my . [I]0-i will leave the doors between [the rooms]803-the rooms open , and [I]0-i shall hear [your]3347-my voice if [you]3347-my call [me]0-i . " [Lady Audley]150-lady audley went through [[her]150-lady audley dressing - room]5211-her dressing - room into [the boudoir]5330-the boudoir , where [she]150-lady audley had sat with [[her]150-lady audley husband]469-her husband since dinner . Every evidence of womanly refinement was visible in [the elegant chamber]7318-the elegant chamber . [[My]3347-my lady]468-my lady 's piano was open , covered with scattered sheets of music and exquisitely - bound collections of scenas and fantasias which [no master]7320-no master need have disdained to study . [[My]3347-my lady]468-my lady 's easel stood near the window , bearing witness to [[my]3347-my lady]468-my lady 's artistic talent , in the shape of a water - colored sketch of [the Court and gardens]7323-the court and gardens . [[My]3347-my lady]468-my lady 's fairy - like embroideries of lace and muslin , rainbow - hued silks , and delicately - tinted wools littered [the luxurious apartment]7325-the luxurious apartment ; while the looking - glasses , cunningly placed at angles and opposite corners by [an artistic upholsterer]7326-an artistic upholsterer , multiplied [[my]3347-my lady]468-my lady 's image , and in that image reflected the most beautiful object in [the enchanted chamber]7328-the enchanted chamber . Amid all this lamplight , gilding , color , wealth , and beauty , [Lucy Audley]197-lucy sat down on a low seat by the fire to think . If [Mr. Holman Hunt]312-mr. holman hunt could have peeped into [the pretty boudoir]7329-the pretty boudoir , [I]3347-my think the picture would have been photographed upon [his]312-mr. holman hunt brain to be reproduced by - and - by upon [a bishop]7330-a bishop 's half - length for the glorification of [the pre - Raphaelite brotherhood]5339-the pre - raphaelite brotherhood . [[My]3347-my lady]468-my lady in that half - recumbent attitude , with [her]468-my lady elbow resting on one knee , and [her]468-my lady perfect chin supported by [her]468-my lady hand , the rich folds of drapery falling away in long undulating lines from the exquisite outline of [her]468-my lady figure , and the luminous , rose - colored firelight enveloping [her]468-my lady in a soft haze , only broken by the golden glitter of [her]468-my lady yellow hair — beautiful in [herself]468-my lady , but made bewilderingly beautiful by the gorgeous surroundings which adorn the shrine of [her]468-my lady loveliness . Drinking - cups of gold and ivory , chiseled by [Benvenuto Cellini]313-benvenuto cellini ; cabinets of buhl and porcelain , bearing the cipher of [Austrian Marie - Antoinette]314-austrian marie - antoinette , amid devices of rosebuds and [true - lovers]7333-true - lovers ' knots , birds and butterflies , cupidons and [shepherdesses]7334-shepherdesses , [goddesses]7335-goddesses , [courtiers]7336-courtiers , [cottagers]7337-cottagers , and [milkmaids]7338-milkmaids ; statuettes of Parian marble and biscuit china ; gilded baskets of hothouse flowers ; fantastical caskets of Indian filigree - work ; fragile tea - cups of turquoise china , adorned by medallion miniatures of [Louis the Great]315-louis the great and [Louis]315-louis the great the Well - beloved , [Louise de la Valliere]316-louise de la valliere , [Athenais de Montespan]317-athenais de montespan , and [Marie Jeanne Gomard de Vaubernier]318-marie jeanne gomard de vaubernier : cabinet pictures and gilded mirrors , shimmering satin and diaphanous lace ; all that gold can buy or art devise had been gathered together for the beautification of [this quiet chamber in which [[my]3347-my lady]468-my lady]7339-this quiet chamber in which my lady sat listening to the mourning of the shrill March wind , and the flapping of the ivy leaves against the casements , and looking into the red chasms in the burning coals . [I]3347-my should be preaching a very stale sermon , and harping upon a very familiar moral , if [I]3347-my were to seize this opportunity of declaiming against art and beauty , because [[my]3347-my lady]468-my lady was more wretched in [this elegant apartment]7342-this elegant apartment than [many a half - starved seamstress in [her]468-my lady dreary garret]7343-many a half - starved seamstress in her dreary garret . [She]468-my lady was wretched by reason of a wound which lay too deep for the possibility of any solace from such plasters as wealth and luxury ; but [her]468-my lady wretchedness was of an abnormal nature , and [I]3347-my can see no occasion for seizing upon the fact of [her]468-my lady misery as an argument in favor of poverty and discomfort as opposed to opulence . [The Benvenuto Cellini]313-benvenuto cellini carvings and the Sevres porcelain could not give [her]468-my lady happiness , because [she]468-my lady had passed out of [[their]7344-them region]7345-their region . [She]468-my lady was no longer innocent ; and the pleasure [we]7346-we take in art and loveliness being an innocent pleasure , had passed beyond [her]468-my lady reach . Six or seven years before , [she]468-my lady would have been happy in [the possession of [this little Aladdin 's palace]7348-this little aladdin 's palace]7347-the possession of this little aladdin 's palace ; but [she]468-my lady had wandered out of the circle of [careless , pleasure seeking creatures]7349-careless , pleasure seeking creatures , [she]468-my lady had strayed far away into a desolate labyrinth of guilt and treachery , terror and crime , and all the treasures that had been collected for [her]468-my lady could have given [her]468-my lady no pleasure but one , the pleasure of flinging them into a heap beneath [her]468-my lady feet and trampling upon [them]7344-them and destroying [them]7344-them in [her]468-my lady cruel despair . There were some things that would have inspired [her]468-my lady with an awful joy , a horrible rejoicing . If [Robert Audley]173-robert , [[her]468-my lady pitiless enemy]7350-her pitiless enemy , [[her]468-my lady unrelenting pursuer]7351-her unrelenting pursuer , had lain dead in [the adjoining chamber]7352-the adjoining chamber , [she]468-my lady would have exulted over [his]173-robert bier . What pleasures could have remained for [Lucretia Borgia]319-lucretia borgia and [Catharine de Medici]320-catharine de medici , when the dreadful boundary line between innocence and guilt was passed , and [the lost creatures]7353-the lost creatures stood upon the lonely outer side ? Only horrible , vengeful joys , and treacherous delights were left for [these miserable women]7354-these miserable women . With what disdainful bitterness [they]7354-these miserable women must have watched the frivolous vanities , the petty deceptions , the paltry sins of [ordinary offenders]7355-ordinary offenders . Perhaps [they]7354-these miserable women took a horrible pride in the enormity of [their]7354-these miserable women wickedness ; in this "[3347-my] Divinity of Hell , " which made [them]7354-these miserable women greatest among [sinful creatures]7356-sinful creatures . [[My]3347-my lady]468-my lady , brooding by the fire in [[her]468-my lady lonely chamber]7358-her lonely chamber , with [her]468-my lady large , clear blue eyes fixed upon the yawning gulfs of lurid crimson in the burning coals , may have thought of many things very far away from the terribly silent struggle in which [she]468-my lady was engaged . [She]468-my lady may have thought of long - ago years of childish innocence , childish follies and selfishness , of frivolous , feminine sins that had weighed very lightly upon [her]468-my lady conscience . Perhaps in that retrospective revery [she]468-my lady recalled that early time in which [she]468-my lady had first looked in the glass and discovered that [she]468-my lady was beautiful ; that fatal early time in which [she]468-my lady had first begun to look upon [her]468-my lady loveliness as a right divine , a boundless possession which was to be a set - off against all girlish shortcomings , a counterbalance of every youthful sin . Did [she]468-my lady remember the day in which [that fairy dower of beauty]7359-that fairy dower of beauty had first taught [her]468-my lady to be selfish and cruel , indifferent to the joys and sorrows of [others]5097-others , cold - hearted and capricious , greedy of admiration , exacting and tyrannical with [that petty woman]7361-that petty woman 's tyranny which is the worst of despotism ? Did [she]468-my lady trace every sin of [her]468-my lady life back to its true source ? and did [she]468-my lady discover that poisoned fountain in [her]468-my lady own exaggerated estimate of the value of a pretty face ? Surely , if [her]468-my lady thoughts wandered so far along the backward current of [her]468-my lady life , [she]468-my lady must have repented in bitterness and despair of that first day in which the master - passions of [her]468-my lady life had become [[her]468-my lady rulers]7362-her rulers , and [the three demons of Vanity]7363-the three demons of vanity , Selfishness , and Ambition , had joined hands and said , "[3347-my] [This woman]557-this woman is [[our]3351-our slave]3352-our slave , let [us]3351-our see what [she]557-this woman will become under [our]3351-our guidance . " How small those first youthful errors seemed as [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady looked back upon [them]7365-them in that long revery by the lonely hearth ! What small vanities , what petty cruelties ! A triumph over [a schoolfellow]7366-a schoolfellow ; a flirtation with [the lover of [a friend]5908-a friend]7367-the lover of a friend ; an assertion of [the right divine invested in blue eyes]7369-the right divine invested in blue eyes and shimmering golden - tinted hair . But how terribly [that narrow pathway]7370-that narrow pathway had widened out into the broad highroad of sin , and how swift the footsteps had become upon the now familiar way ! [[My]0-i lady]468-my lady twisted [her]468-my lady fingers in [her]468-my lady loose amber curls , and made as if [she]468-my lady would have torn them from [her]468-my lady head . But even in that moment of mute despair the unyielding dominion of beauty asserted itself , and [she]468-my lady released the poor tangled glitter of ringlets , leaving them to make a halo round [her]468-my lady head in the dim firelight . "[0-i] [I]0-i was not wicked when [I]0-i was young , " [she]468-my lady thought , as [she]468-my lady stared gloomingly at the fire , "[0-i] [I]0-i was only thoughtless . [I]0-i never did any harm — at least , wilfully . Have [I]0-i ever been really wicked , [I]0-i wonder ? " [she]468-my lady mused . "[0-i] [My]0-i worst wickednesses have been the result of wild impulses , and not of deeply - laid plots . [I]0-i am not like [the women [I]0-i have read of]3353-the women i have read of , [who have lain night after night in the horrible darkness and stillness , planning out treacherous deeds , and arranging every circumstance of an appointed crime]3354-who have lain night after night in the horrible darkness and stillness , planning out treacherous deeds , and arranging every circumstance of an appointed crime . [I]0-i wonder whether [they]3353-the women i have read of suffered — [those women]3355-those women — whether [they]3353-the women i have read of ever suffered as — " [Her]468-my lady thoughts wandered away into a weary maze of confusion . Suddenly [she]468-my lady drew [herself]468-my lady up with a proud , defiant gesture , and [her]468-my lady eyes glittered with a light that was not entirely reflected from the fire . "[0-i] [You]0-i are mad , [Mr. Robert Audley]173-robert , " [she]468-my lady said , "[0-i] [you]0-i are mad , and [your]0-i fancies are [a madman]3356-a madman 's fancies . [I]0-i know what madness is . [I]0-i know its signs and tokens , and [I]0-i say that [you]0-i are mad . " [She]468-my lady put [her]468-my lady hand to [her]468-my lady head , as if thinking of something which confused and bewildered [her]468-my lady , and which [she]468-my lady found it difficult to contemplate with calmness . "[0-i] Dare [I]0-i defy [him]173-robert ? " [she]468-my lady muttered . "[0-i] Dare [I]0-i ? dare [I]0-i ? Will [he]173-robert stop , now that [he]173-robert has once gone so far ? Will [he]173-robert stop for fear of [me]0-i ? Will [he]173-robert stop for fear of [me]0-i , when the thought of what [[his]173-robert uncle]4872-his uncle must suffer has not stopped [him]173-robert ? Will anything stop [him]173-robert — but death ? " [She]468-my lady pronounced the last words in an awful whisper ; and with [her]468-my lady head bent forward , [her]468-my lady eyes dilated , and [her]468-my lady lips still parted as they had been parted in [her]468-my lady utterance of that final word "[173-robert] death , " [she]468-my lady sat blankly staring at the fire . "[173-robert] [I]0-i ca n't plot horrible things , " [she]468-my lady muttered , presently ; "[0-i] [my]0-i brain is n't strong enough , or [I]0-i 'm not wicked enough , or brave enough . If [I]0-i met [Robert Audley]173-robert in [those lonely gardens]3358-those lonely gardens , as [I]0-i — " The current of [her]468-my lady thoughts was interrupted by a cautious knocking at [her]468-my lady door . [She]468-my lady rose suddenly , startled by any sound in the stillness of [[her]468-my lady room]7372-her room . [She]468-my lady rose , and threw [herself]468-my lady into a low chair near the fire . [She]468-my lady flung [her]468-my lady beautiful head back upon the soft cushions , and took a book from the table near [her]468-my lady . Insignificant as this action was , it spoke very plainly . It spoke very plainly of ever - recurring fears — of fatal necessities for concealment — of a mind that in its silent agonies was ever alive to the importance of outward effect . It told more plainly than anything else could have told how complete an actress [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady had been made by the awful necessity of [her]468-my lady life . The modest rap at the door was repeated . "[0-i] Come in , " cried [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , in [her]150-lady audley liveliest tone . The door was opened with that respectful noiselessness peculiar to [a well - bred servant]7374-a well - bred servant , and [a young woman]7375-a young woman , plainly dressed , and carrying some of the cold March winds in the folds of [her]7375-a young woman garments , crossed the threshold of [the apartment]5327-the apartment and lingered near the door , waiting permission to approach the inner regions of [[[my]0-i lady]468-my lady 's retreat]7378-my lady 's retreat . It was [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe , [the pale - faced wife of [the Mount Stanning innkeeper]7380-the mount stanning innkeeper]7379-the pale - faced wife of the mount stanning innkeeper . "[0-i] [I]0-i beg pardon , [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , for intruding without leave , " [she]166-phoebe said ; "[0-i] but [I]0-i thought [I]0-i might venture to come straight up without waiting for permission . " "[166-phoebe] Yes , yes , [Phoebe]166-phoebe , to be sure . Take off [your]166-phoebe bonnet , [you]166-phoebe wretched , cold - looking creature , and come sit down here . " [Lady Audley]150-lady audley pointed to the low ottoman upon which [she]150-lady audley had [herself]150-lady audley been seated a few minutes before . [[The lady]673-the lady 's maid]1504-the lady 's maid had often sat upon it listening to [[her]1504-the lady 's maid mistress]1497-her mistress ' prattle in the old days , when [she]1504-the lady 's maid had been [[[my]166-phoebe lady]468-my lady 's chief companion and [confidante]7386-confidante]7385-my lady 's chief companion and confidante . "[166-phoebe] Sit down here , [Phoebe]166-phoebe , " [Lady Audley]150-lady audley repeated ; "[166-phoebe] sit down here and talk to [me]0-i ; [I]0-i 'm very glad [you]166-phoebe came [here]4776-here to - night . [I]0-i was horribly lonely in [this dreary place]3361-this dreary place . " [[My]0-i lady]468-my lady shivered and looked round at the bright collection of bric - a - brac , as if the Sevres and bronze , the buhl and ormolu , had been the moldering adornments of [some ruined castle]7388-some ruined castle . The dreary wretchedness of [her]468-my lady thoughts had communicated itself to every object about [her]468-my lady , and all outer things took their color from that weary inner life which held its slow course of secret anguish in [her]468-my lady breast . [She]468-my lady had spoken the entire truth in saying that [she]468-my lady was glad of [[her]468-my lady lady]7389-her lady 's maid 's visit . [Her]468-my lady frivolous nature clung to this weak shelter in the hour of [her]468-my lady fear and suffering . There were sympathies between [her]468-my lady and [this girl]2487-this girl , who was like [herself]468-my lady , inwardly as well as outwardly — like [herself]468-my lady , selfish , and cold , and cruel , eager for [her]468-my lady own advancement , and greedy of opulence and elegance ; angry with the lot that had been cast [her]468-my lady , and weary of dull dependence . [[My]0-i lady]468-my lady hated [Alicia]149-alicia for [her]149-alicia frank , passionate , generous , daring nature ; [she]468-my lady hated [[her]468-my lady step - daughter]5225-her step - daughter , and clung to [this pale - faced , pale - haired girl , whom [she]468-my lady thought neither better nor worse than [herself]468-my lady]7393-this pale - faced , pale - haired girl , whom she thought neither better nor worse than herself . [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe obeyed [[her]166-phoebe late mistress]7394-her late mistress ' commands , and took off [her]166-phoebe bonnet before seating [herself]166-phoebe on the ottoman at [Lady Audley]150-lady audley 's feet . [Her]166-phoebe smooth bands of light hair were unruffled by the March winds ; [her]166-phoebe trimly - made drab dress and linen collar were as neatly arranged as they could have been had [she]166-phoebe only that moment completed [her]166-phoebe toilet . "[0-i] [Sir Michael]146-sir michael is better , [I]0-i hope , [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , " [she]166-phoebe said . "[146-sir michael] Yes , [Phoebe]166-phoebe , much better . [He]146-sir michael is asleep . [You]166-phoebe may close that door , " added [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , with a motion of [her]150-lady audley head toward the door of communication between [the rooms]803-the rooms , which had been left open . [Mrs. Marks]221-mrs. marks obeyed submissively , and then returned to [her]166-phoebe seat . "[166-phoebe] [I]0-i am very , very unhappy , [Phoebe]166-phoebe , " [[my]166-phoebe lady]468-my lady said , fretfully ; "[166-phoebe] wretchedly miserable . " "[166-phoebe] About the — secret ? " asked [Mrs. Marks]221-mrs. marks , in a half whisper . [[My]166-phoebe lady]468-my lady did not notice that question . [She]468-my lady resumed in the same complaining tone . [She]468-my lady was glad to be able to complain even to [[this lady]2399-this lady 's maid]7399-this lady 's maid . [She]468-my lady had brooded over [her]468-my lady fears , and had suffered in secret so long , that it was an inexpressible relief to [her]468-my lady to bemoan [her]468-my lady fate aloud . "[166-phoebe] [I]0-i am cruelly persecuted and harassed , [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe , " [she]468-my lady said . "[166-phoebe] [I]0-i am pursued and tormented by [a man whom [I]0-i never injured , whom [I]0-i have never wished to injure]3363-a man whom i never injured , whom i have never wished to injure . [I]0-i am never suffered to rest by [this relentless tormentor]3364-this relentless tormentor , and — " [She]468-my lady paused , staring at the fire again , as [she]468-my lady had done in [her]468-my lady loneliness . Lost again in the dark intricacies of thoughts which wandered hither and thither in a dreadful chaos of terrified bewilderments , [she]468-my lady could not come to any fixed conclusion . [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe watched [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady 's face , looking upward at [[her]468-my lady late mistress]7394-her late mistress with pale , anxious eyes , that only relaxed [their]7402-their watchfulness when [Lady Audley]150-lady audley 's glance met that of [[her]468-my lady companion]788-her companion . "[0-i] [I]0-i think [I]0-i know whom [you]0-i mean , [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , " said [[the innkeeper]1846-the innkeeper 's wife]7405-the innkeeper 's wife , after a pause ; "[0-i] [I]0-i think [I]0-i know who it is who is so cruel to [you]0-i . " "[0-i] Oh , of course , " answered [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , bitterly ; "[0-i] [my]0-i secrets are [everybody]632-everybody 's secrets . [You]0-i know all about it , no doubt . " "[0-i] [The person]1405-the person is [a gentleman]4644-a gentleman — is [he]1405-the person not , [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady ? " "[4644-a gentleman] Yes . " "[4644-a gentleman] [A gentleman who came to [the Castle Inn]1595-the castle inn]3370-a gentleman who came to the castle inn two months ago , when [I]0-i warned [you]0-i — " "[0-i] Yes , yes , " answered [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , impatiently . "[0-i] [I]0-i thought so . [The same gentleman]3372-the same gentleman is at [[our]3373-our place]3374-our place to - night , [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady . " [Lady Audley]150-lady audley started up from [her]150-lady audley chair — started up as if [she]150-lady audley would have done something desperate in [her]150-lady audley despairing fury ; but [she]150-lady audley sank back again with a weary , querulous sigh . What warfare could [such a feeble creature]7408-such a feeble creature wage against [her]150-lady audley fate ? What could [she]150-lady audley do but wind like a hunted hare till [she]150-lady audley found [her]150-lady audley way back to the starting - point of the cruel chase , to be there trampled down by [[her]150-lady audley pursuers]7409-her pursuers ? "[3372-the same gentleman] At [the Castle Inn]54-the castle inn ? " [she]150-lady audley cried . "[3372-the same gentleman] [I]0-i might have known as much . [He]3372-the same gentleman has gone [there]374-there to wring [my]0-i secrets from [[your]0-i husband]3377-your husband . [Fool]3378-fool ! " [she]150-lady audley exclaimed , suddenly turning upon [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe in a transport of anger , "[0-i] do [you]0-i want to destroy [me]0-i that [you]0-i have left [those two men]3379-those two men together ? " [Mrs. Marks]221-mrs. marks clasped [her]221-mrs. marks hands piteously . "[0-i] [I]0-i did n't come away of [my]0-i own free will , [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , " [she]221-mrs. marks said ; "[0-i] [no one]507-no one could have been more unwilling to leave [the house]388-the house than [I]0-i was this night . [I]0-i was sent [here]4776-here . " "[0-i] Who sent [you]0-i here ? " "[167-luke] [Luke]167-luke , [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady . [You]468-my lady ca n't tell how hard [he]167-luke can be upon [me]0-i if [I]0-i go against [him]167-luke . " "[468-my lady] Why did [he]167-luke send [you]0-i ? " [[The innkeeper]1846-the innkeeper 's wife]7405-the innkeeper 's wife dropped [her]7405-the innkeeper 's wife eyelids under [Lady Audley]150-lady audley 's angry glances , and hesitated confusedly before [she]7405-the innkeeper 's wife answered this question . "[167-luke] Indeed , [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , " [she]7405-the innkeeper 's wife stammered , "[167-luke] [I]0-i did n't want to come . [I]0-i told [Luke]167-luke that it was too bad for [us]3386-us to worry [you]468-my lady , first asking this favor , and then asking that , and never leaving [you]468-my lady alone for a month together ; but — but — [he]167-luke bore [me]0-i down with [his]167-luke loud , blustering talk , and [he]167-luke made [me]0-i come . " "[167-luke] Yes , yes , " cried [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , impatiently . "[167-luke] [I]0-i know that . [I]0-i want to know why [you]468-my lady have come . " "[0-i] Why , [you]468-my lady know , [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , " answered [Phoebe]166-phoebe , half reluctantly , "[167-luke] [Luke]167-luke is very extravagant ; and all [I]0-i can say to [him]167-luke , [I]0-i ca n't get [him]167-luke to be careful or steady . [He]167-luke 's not sober ; and when [he]167-luke 's drinking with [a lot of [rough countrymen]3389-rough countrymen]3388-a lot of rough countrymen , and drinking , perhaps even more than [they]3388-a lot of rough countrymen do , it is n't likely that [his]167-luke head can be very clear for accounts . If it had n't been for [me]0-i [we]3390-we should have been ruined before this ; and hard as [I]0-i 've tried , [I]0-i have n't been able to keep the ruin off . [You]468-my lady remember giving [me]0-i the money for [the brewer]3391-the brewer 's bill , [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady ? " "[468-my lady] Yes , [I]0-i remember very well , " answered [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , with a bitter laugh , "[0-i] for [I]0-i wanted that money to pay [my]0-i own bills . " "[468-my lady] [I]0-i know [you]468-my lady did , [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , and it was very , very hard for [me]0-i to have to come and ask [you]468-my lady for it , after all that [we]3390-we 'd received from [you]468-my lady before . But that is n't the worst : when [Luke]167-luke sent [me]0-i down here to beg the favor of that help [he]167-luke never told [me]0-i that the Christmas rent was still owing ; but it was , [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , and it 's owing now , and — and there 's [a bailiff]3395-a bailiff in [the house]388-the house to - night , and [we]3390-we 're to be sold up to - morrow unless — " "[0-i] Unless [I]0-i pay [your]468-my lady rent , [I]0-i suppose , " cried [Lucy Audley]197-lucy . "[0-i] [I]0-i might have guessed what was coming . " "[0-i] Indeed , indeed , [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , [I]0-i would n't have asked it , " sobbed [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe , "[0-i] but [he]167-luke made [me]0-i come . " "[167-luke] Yes , " answered [[my]167-luke lady]468-my lady , bitterly , "[167-luke] [he]167-luke made [you]468-my lady come ; and [he]167-luke will make [you]468-my lady come whenever [he]167-luke pleases , and whenever [he]167-luke wants money for the gratification of [his]167-luke low vices ; and [you]468-my lady and [he]167-luke are [[my]0-i pensioners]3398-my pensioners as long as [I]0-i live , or as long as [I]0-i have any money to give ; for [I]0-i suppose when [my]0-i purse is empty and [my]0-i credit ruined , [you]468-my lady and [[your]468-my lady husband]3377-your husband will turn upon [me]0-i and sell [me]0-i to [the highest bidder]4705-the highest bidder . Do [you]468-my lady know , [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe , that [my]0-i jewel - case has been half emptied to meet [your]468-my lady claims ? Do [you]468-my lady know that [my]0-i pin - money , which [I]0-i thought such a princely allowance when [my]0-i marriage settlement was made , and when [I]0-i was a poor governess at [Mr. Dawson]151-mr. dawson 's , Heaven help [me]0-i ! [my]0-i pin - money has been overdrawn half a year to satisfy [your]468-my lady demands ? What can [I]0-i do to appease [you]468-my lady ? Shall [I]0-i sell [my]0-i Marie Antoinette cabinet , or [my]0-i pompadour china , [Leroy]321-leroy 's and [Benson]216-benson 's ormolu clocks , or [my]0-i Gobelin tapestried chairs and ottomans ? How shall [I]0-i satisfy [you]468-my lady next ? " "[0-i] Oh , [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , " cried [Phoebe]166-phoebe , piteously , "[468-my lady] do n't be so cruel to [me]0-i ; [you]468-my lady know , [you]468-my lady know that it is n't [I]0-i who want to impose upon [you]468-my lady . " "[0-i] [I]0-i know nothing , " exclaimed [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , "[0-i] except that [I]0-i am [the most miserable of [women]4642-women]3403-the most miserable of women . Let [me]0-i think , " [she]150-lady audley cried , silencing [Phoebe]166-phoebe 's consolatory murmurs with an imperious gesture . "[0-i] Hold [your]468-my lady tongue , [girl]3405-girl , and let [me]0-i think of this business , if [I]0-i can . " [She]150-lady audley put [her]150-lady audley hands to [her]150-lady audley forehead , clasping [her]150-lady audley slender fingers across [her]150-lady audley brow , as if [she]150-lady audley would have controlled the action of [her]150-lady audley brain by their convulsive pressure . "[173-robert] [Robert Audley]173-robert is with [[your]468-my lady husband]3377-your husband , " [she]150-lady audley said , slowly , speaking to [herself]150-lady audley rather than to [[her]150-lady audley companion]788-her companion . "[173-robert] [These two men]3407-these two men are together , and there are [bailiffs]3408-bailiffs in [the house]388-the house , and [[your]468-my lady brutal husband]3410-your brutal husband is no doubt brutally drunk by this time , and brutally obstinate and ferocious in [his]3410-your brutal husband drunkenness . If [I]0-i refuse to pay this money [his]3410-your brutal husband ferocity will be multiplied by a hundredfold . There 's little use in discussing that matter . The money must be paid . " "[468-my lady] But if [you]468-my lady do pay it , " said [Phoebe]166-phoebe , earnestly , "[468-my lady] [I]0-i hope [you]468-my lady will impress upon [Luke]167-luke that it is the last money [you]468-my lady will ever give [him]167-luke while [he]167-luke stops in [that house]6322-that house . " "[468-my lady] Why ? " asked [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , letting [her]150-lady audley hands fall on [her]150-lady audley lap , and looking inquiringly at [Mrs. Marks]221-mrs. marks . "[468-my lady] Because [I]0-i want [Luke]167-luke to leave [the Castle]4914-the castle . " "[0-i] But why do [you]0-i want [him]167-luke to leave ? " "[0-i] Oh , for ever so many reasons , [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , " answered [Phoebe]166-phoebe . "[0-i] [He]167-luke 's not fit to be [the landlord of [a public - house]4807-a public - house]3414-the landlord of a public - house . [I]0-i did n't know that when [I]0-i married [him]167-luke , or [I]0-i would have gone against the business , and tried to persuade [him]167-luke to take to the farming line . Not that [I]0-i suppose [he]167-luke 'd have given up [his]167-luke own fancy , either ; for [he]167-luke 's obstinate enough , as [you]468-my lady know , [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady . [He]167-luke 's not fit for [his]167-luke present business . [He]167-luke 's scarcely ever sober after dark ; and when [he]167-luke 's drunk [he]167-luke gets almost wild , and does n't seem to know what [he]167-luke does . [We]3417-we 've had two or three narrow escapes with [him]167-luke already . " "[3417-we] Narrow escapes ! " repeated [Lady Audley]150-lady audley . "[468-my lady] What do [you]468-my lady mean ? " "[468-my lady] Why , [we]3417-we 've run the risk of being burnt in [[our]3417-we beds]3418-our beds through [his]167-luke carelessness . " "[167-luke] Burnt in [[your]468-my lady beds]3419-your beds through [his]167-luke carelessness ! Why , how was that ? " asked [[my]468-my lady lady]468-my lady , rather listlessly . [She]468-my lady was too selfish , and too deeply absorbed in [her]468-my lady own troubles to take much interest in any danger which had befallen [[her]468-my lady some - time lady's - maid]7415-her some - time lady's - maid . "[468-my lady] [You]468-my lady know what [a queer old place [the Castle]4914-the castle is]3420-a queer old place the castle is , [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady ; all tumble - down wood - work , and rotten rafters , and such like . [The Chelmsford Insurance Company]112-the chelmsford insurance company wo n't insure it ; for [they]112-the chelmsford insurance company say if [the place]385-the place did happen to catch fire of a windy night it would blaze away like so much tinder , and nothing in [the world]519-the world could save it . Well , [Luke]167-luke knows this ; and [the landlord]5144-the landlord has warned [him]167-luke of it times and often , for [he]5144-the landlord lives close against [us]3426-we , and [he]5144-the landlord keeps a pretty sharp eye upon all [[my]0-i husband]3083-my husband 's goings on ; but when [Luke]167-luke 's tipsy [he]167-luke does n't know what [he]167-luke 's about , and only a week ago [he]167-luke left a candle burning in [one of [the out - houses]3429-the out - houses]3428-one of the out - houses , and the flame caught one of the rafters of the sloping roof , and if it had n't been for [me]0-i finding it out when [I]0-i went round [the house]388-the house the last thing , [we]3426-we should have all been burnt to death , perhaps . And that 's the third time the same kind of thing has happened in the six months [we]3426-we 've had [the place]385-the place , and [you]3432-you ca n't wonder that [I]0-i 'm frightened , can [you]3432-you , [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady ? " [[My]0-i lady]468-my lady had not wondered , [she]468-my lady had not thought about the business at all . [She]468-my lady had scarcely listened to these commonplace details ; why should [she]468-my lady care for [this low - born waiting - woman]7417-this low - born waiting - woman 's perils and troubles ? Had [she]468-my lady not [her]468-my lady own terrors , [her]468-my lady own soul - absorbing perplexities to usurp every thought of which [her]468-my lady brain was capable ? [She]468-my lady did not make any remark upon that which [poor Phoebe]166-phoebe just told [her]468-my lady ; [she]468-my lady scarcely comprehended what had been said , until some moments after [the girl]753-the girl had finished speaking , when the words assumed their full meaning , as some words do after they have been heard without being heeded . "[0-i] Burnt in [[your]3432-you beds]3419-your beds , " said [the young lady]5100-the young lady , at last . "[0-i] It would have been a good thing for [me]0-i if that precious creature , [[your]3432-you husband]3377-your husband , had been burnt in [his]3377-your husband bed before to - night . " A vivid picture had flashed upon [her]5100-the young lady as [she]5100-the young lady spoke . The picture of [that frail wooden tenement]7420-that frail wooden tenement , [the Castle Inn]1595-the castle inn , reduced to a roofless chaos of lath and plaster , vomiting flames from its black mouth , and spitting blazing sparks upward toward the cold night sky . [She]5100-the young lady gave a weary sigh as [she]5100-the young lady dismissed this image from [her]5100-the young lady restless brain . [She]5100-the young lady would be no better off even if [this enemy]7422-this enemy should be for ever silenced . [She]5100-the young lady had [another and far more dangerous foe]7423-another and far more dangerous foe — [a foe who was not to be bribed or bought off]7424-a foe who was not to be bribed or bought off , though [she]5100-the young lady had been as rich as [an empress]7425-an empress . "[0-i] [I]0-i 'll give [you]3432-you the money to send [this bailiff]3436-this bailiff away , " [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady said , after a pause . "[0-i] [I]0-i must give [you]3432-you the last sovereign in [my]0-i purse , but what of that ? [you]3432-you know as well as [I]0-i do that [I]0-i dare not refuse [you]3432-you . " [Lady Audley]150-lady audley rose and took the lighted lamp from [her]150-lady audley writing - table . "[3432-you] The money is in [[my]0-i dressing - room]3437-my dressing - room , " [she]150-lady audley said ; "[3432-you] [I]0-i will go and fetch it . " "[468-my lady] Oh , [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , " exclaimed [Phoebe]166-phoebe , suddenly , "[468-my lady] [I]0-i forgot something ; [I]0-i was in such a way about this business that [I]0-i quite forgot it . " "[0-i] Quite forgot what ? " "[0-i] A letter that was given [me]0-i to bring to [you]468-my lady , [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , just before [I]0-i left [home]479-home . " "[173-robert] What letter ? " "[173-robert] A letter from [Mr. Audley]173-robert . [He]173-robert heard [[my]0-i husband]3083-my husband mention that [I]0-i was coming down [here]4776-here , and [he]173-robert asked [me]0-i to carry this letter . " [Lady Audley]150-lady audley set the lamp down upon the table nearest to [her]150-lady audley , and held out [her]150-lady audley hand to receive the letter . [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe could scarcely fail to observe that the little jeweled hand shook like a leaf . "[173-robert] Give it [me]0-i — give it [me]0-i , " [she]150-lady audley cried ; "[173-robert] let [me]0-i see what more [he]173-robert has to say . " [Lady Audley]150-lady audley almost snatched the letter from [Phoebe]166-phoebe 's hand in [her]150-lady audley wild impatience . [She]150-lady audley tore open the envelope and flung it from [her]150-lady audley ; [she]150-lady audley could scarcely unfold the sheet of note - paper in [her]150-lady audley eager excitement . The letter was very brief . It contained only these words : "[173-robert] Should [Mrs. George Talboys]181-george talboys really have survived the date of [her]181-george talboys supposed death , as recorded in the public prints , and upon the tombstone in [Ventnor churchyard]6165-ventnor churchyard , and should [she]181-george talboys exist in the person of [the lady]673-the lady suspected and accused by [the writer of this]3445-the writer of this , there can be no great difficulty in finding [some one]3325-some one able and willing to identify [her]181-george talboys . [Mrs. Barkamb]287-mrs. barkamb , [the owner of [North Cottages]105-north cottages]3447-the owner of north cottages , [Wildernsea]97-wildernsea , would no doubt consent to throw some light upon this matter ; either to dispel a delusion or to confirm a suspicion . " [ROBERT AUDLEY]173-robert . "[287-mrs. barkamb] March 3 , 1859 . " [The Castle Inn]1595-the castle inn , [Mount Stanning]222-mount stanning . "[287-mrs. barkamb] [[My]0-i lady]468-my lady crushed the letter fiercely in [her]468-my lady hand , and flung it from [her]468-my lady into the flames . " If [he]173-robert stood before [me]468-my lady now , and [I]468-my lady could kill [him]173-robert , "[468-my lady] [she]468-my lady muttered in a strange , inward whisper , " [I]468-my lady would do it — [I]468-my lady would do it ! "[468-my lady] [She]468-my lady snatched up the lamp and rushed into [the adjoining room]3449-the adjoining room . [She]468-my lady shut the door behind [her]468-my lady . [She]468-my lady could not endure any witness of [her]468-my lady horrible despair — [she]468-my lady could endure nothing , neither [herself]468-my lady nor [her]468-my lady surroundings . The door between [[[my]0-i lady]468-my lady 's dressing - room]1137-my lady 's dressing - room and [the bed - chamber in which [Sir Michael]146-sir michael lay]3452-the bed - chamber in which sir michael lay , had been left open . [The baronet]465-the baronet slept peacefully , [his]465-the baronet noble face plainly visible in the subdued lamplight . [His]465-the baronet breathing was low and regular , [his]465-the baronet lips curved into a half smile — a smile of tender happiness which [he]465-the baronet often wore when [he]465-the baronet looked at [[his]465-the baronet beautiful wife]3454-his beautiful wife , the smile of [an all - indulgent father]3455-an all - indulgent father , who looks admiringly at [[his]465-the baronet favorite child]3456-his favorite child . Some touch of womanly feeling , some sentiment of compassion softened [Lady Audley]150-lady audley 's glance as it fell upon [that noble , reposing figure]3457-that noble , reposing figure . For a moment the horrible egotism of [her]150-lady audley own misery yielded to [her]150-lady audley pitying tenderness for another . It was perhaps only a semi - selfish tenderness after all , in which pity for [herself]150-lady audley was as powerful as pity for [[her]150-lady audley husband]469-her husband ; but for once in a way , [her]150-lady audley thoughts ran out of the narrow groove of [her]150-lady audley own terrors and [her]150-lady audley own troubles to dwell with prophetic grief upon the coming sorrows of [another]3459-another . " If [they]7428-they make [him]469-her husband believe , how wretched [he]469-her husband will be , "[150-lady audley] [she]150-lady audley thought . But intermingled with that thought there was another — there was the thought of [her]150-lady audley lovely face , [her]150-lady audley bewitching manner , [her]150-lady audley arch smile , [her]150-lady audley low , musical laugh , which was like a peal of silvery bells ringing across [a broad expanse of flat meadow - land]3460-a broad expanse of flat meadow - land and [a rippling river]3461-a rippling river in the misty summer evening . [She]150-lady audley thought of all these things with a transient thrill of triumph , which was stronger even than [her]150-lady audley terror . If [Sir Michael Audley]146-sir michael lived to be a hundred years old , whatever [he]146-sir michael might learn to believe of [her]150-lady audley , however [he]146-sir michael might grow to despise [her]150-lady audley , would [he]146-sir michael ever be able to disassociate [her]150-lady audley from these attributes ? No ; a thousand times no . To the last hour of [his]146-sir michael life [his]146-sir michael memory would present [her]150-lady audley to [him]146-sir michael invested with the loveliness that had first won [his]146-sir michael enthusiastic admiration , [his]146-sir michael devoted affection . [[Her]150-lady audley worst enemies]3462-her worst enemies could not rob [her]150-lady audley of that fairy dower which had been so fatal in its influence upon [her]150-lady audley frivolous mind . [She]150-lady audley paced up and down [the dressing - room]5226-the dressing - room in the silvery lamplight , pondering upon the strange letter which [she]150-lady audley had received from [Robert Audley]173-robert . [She]150-lady audley walked backward and forward in that monotonous wandering for some time before [she]150-lady audley was able to steady [her]150-lady audley thoughts — before [she]150-lady audley was able to bring the scattered forces of [her]150-lady audley narrow intellect to bear upon the one all - important subject of the threat contained in [the barrister]955-the barrister 's letter . " [He]173-robert will do it , "[150-lady audley] [she]150-lady audley said , between [her]150-lady audley set teeth—"he will do it , unless [I]150-lady audley get [him]173-robert into [a lunatic - asylum]7429-a lunatic - asylum first ; or unless — "[150-lady audley] [She]150-lady audley did not finish the thought in words . [She]150-lady audley did not even think out the sentence ; but some new and unnatural impulse in [her]150-lady audley heart seemed to beat each syllable against [her]150-lady audley breast . The thought was this : " [He]173-robert will do it , unless some strange calamity befalls [him]173-robert , and silences [him]173-robert for ever . "[150-lady audley] The red blood flashed up into [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady 's face with as sudden and transient a blaze as the flickering flame of a fire , and died as suddenly away , leaving [her]468-my lady more pale than winter snow . [Her]468-my lady hands , which had before been locked convulsively together , fell apart and dropped heavily at [her]468-my lady sides . [She]150-lady audley stopped in [her]150-lady audley rapid pacing to and fro — stopped as [[Lot]322-lot 's wife]3466-lot 's wife may have stopped , after that fatal backward glance at [the perishing city]3467-the perishing city — with every pulse slackening , with every drop of blood congealing in [her]468-my lady veins , in the terrible process that was to transform [her]468-my lady from [a woman]503-a woman into [a statue]3469-a statue . [Lady Audley]150-lady audley stood still for about five minutes in that strangely statuesque attitude , [her]150-lady audley head erect , [her]150-lady audley eyes staring straight before [her]150-lady audley — staring far beyond the narrow boundary of [her]150-lady audley chamber wall , into dark distances of peril and horror . But by - and - by [she]150-lady audley started from that rigid attitude almost as abruptly as [she]150-lady audley had fallen into it . [She]150-lady audley roused [herself]150-lady audley from that semi - lethargy . [She]150-lady audley walked rapidly to [her]150-lady audley dressing - table , and , seating [herself]150-lady audley before [it]3470-it , pushed away the litter of golden - stoppered bottles and delicate china essence - boxes , and looked at [her]150-lady audley reflection in the large , oval glass . [She]150-lady audley was very pale ; but there was no other trace of agitation visible in [her]150-lady audley girlish face . The lines of [her]150-lady audley exquisitely molded lips were so beautiful , that it was only [a very close observer]3471-a very close observer who could have perceived a certain rigidity that was unusual to [them]3472-them . [She]150-lady audley saw this [herself]150-lady audley , and tried to smile away that statue - like immobility : but to - night the rosy lips refused to obey [her]150-lady audley ; they were firmly locked , and were no longer the slaves of [her]150-lady audley will and pleasure . All the latent forces of [her]150-lady audley character concentrated themselves in this one feature . [She]150-lady audley might command [her]150-lady audley eyes , but [she]150-lady audley could not control the muscles of [her]150-lady audley mouth . [She]150-lady audley rose from before [her]150-lady audley dressing - table , and took a dark velvet cloak and bonnet from the recesses of [her]150-lady audley wardrobe , and dressed [herself]150-lady audley for walking . The little ormolu clock on the chimney - piece struck the quarter after eleven while [Lady Audley]150-lady audley was employed in this manner ; five minutes afterward [she]150-lady audley re - entered [the room in which [she]150-lady audley had left [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe]3473-the room in which she had left phoebe marks . [[The innkeeper]1846-the innkeeper 's wife]7405-the innkeeper 's wife was sitting before the low fender very much in the same attitude as that in which [[her]150-lady audley late mistress]7394-her late mistress had brooded over that lonely hearth earlier in the evening . [Phoebe]166-phoebe had replenished the fire , and had reassumed [her]166-phoebe bonnet and shawl . [She]150-lady audley was anxious to get [home]479-home to [that brutal husband , who was only too apt to fall into some mischief in [her]150-lady audley absence]3478-that brutal husband , who was only too apt to fall into some mischief in her absence . [She]150-lady audley looked up as [Lady Audley]150-lady audley entered [the room]595-the room , and uttered an exclamation of surprise at seeing [[her]150-lady audley late mistress]7394-her late mistress in a walking - costume . " [[My]150-lady audley lady]468-my lady , "[150-lady audley] [she]150-lady audley cried , " [you]468-my lady are not going out to - night ? "[150-lady audley] " Yes , [I]150-lady audley am , [Phoebe]166-phoebe , "[150-lady audley] [Lady Audley]150-lady audley answered , very quietly . " [I]150-lady audley am going to [Mount Stanning]222-mount stanning with [you]166-phoebe to see [this bailiff]3436-this bailiff , and to pay and dismiss [him]3436-this bailiff [myself]150-lady audley . "[150-lady audley] " But , [[my]150-lady audley lady]468-my lady , [you]166-phoebe forget what the time is ; [you]166-phoebe ca n't go out at such an hour . "[150-lady audley] [Lady Audley]150-lady audley did not answer . [She]150-lady audley stood with [her]150-lady audley finger resting lightly upon the handle of the bell , meditating quietly . " [The stables]1746-the stables are always locked , and [the men in bed]7434-the men in bed by ten o'clock , "[150-lady audley] [she]150-lady audley murmured , " when [we]7435-we are at [home]479-home . It will make a terrible hubbub to get [a carriage]5365-a carriage ready ; but yet [I]150-lady audley dare say [one of [the servants]545-the servants]7438-one of the servants could manage the matter quietly for [me]150-lady audley . "[150-lady audley] " But why should [you]166-phoebe go to - night , [[my]166-phoebe lady]468-my lady ? "[166-phoebe] cried [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe . " To - morrow will do quite as well . A week hence will do as well . [[Our]7435-we landlord]7441-our landlord would take [the man]634-the man away if [he]7441-our landlord had [your]166-phoebe promise to settle the debt . "[166-phoebe] [Lady Audley]150-lady audley took no notice of this interruption . [She]150-lady audley went hastily into [the dressing - room]5226-the dressing - room , and flung off [her]150-lady audley bonnet and cloak , and then returned to [the boudoir]5330-the boudoir , in [her]150-lady audley simple dinner - costume , with [her]150-lady audley curls brushed carelessly away from [her]150-lady audley face . " Now , [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe , listen to [me]150-lady audley , "[150-lady audley] [she]150-lady audley said , grasping [[her]150-lady audley confidante]3483-her confidante 's wrist , and speaking in a low , earnest voice , but with a certain imperious air that challenged contradiction and commanded obedience . " Listen to [me]150-lady audley , [Phoebe]166-phoebe , "[150-lady audley] [she]150-lady audley repeated . " [I]150-lady audley am going to [the Castle Inn]54-the castle inn to - night ; whether it is early or late is of very little consequence to [me]150-lady audley ; [I]150-lady audley have set [my]150-lady audley mind upon going , and [I]150-lady audley shall go . [You]166-phoebe have asked [me]150-lady audley why , and [I]150-lady audley have told [you]166-phoebe . [I]150-lady audley am going in order that [I]150-lady audley may pay this debt [myself]150-lady audley ; and that [I]150-lady audley may see for [myself]150-lady audley that the money [I]150-lady audley give is applied to the purpose for which [I]150-lady audley give it . There is nothing out of the common course of life in [my]150-lady audley doing this . [I]150-lady audley am going to do what [other women in [my]150-lady audley position]7443-other women in my position very often do . [I]150-lady audley am going to assist [a favorite servant]7444-a favorite servant . "[150-lady audley] " But it 's getting on for twelve o'clock , [[my]166-phoebe lady]468-my lady , "[166-phoebe] pleaded [Phoebe]166-phoebe . [Lady Audley]150-lady audley frowned impatiently at this interruption . " If [my]150-lady audley going to [[your]166-phoebe house]6183-your house to pay [this man]4719-this man should be known , "[150-lady audley] [she]150-lady audley continued , still retaining [her]150-lady audley hold of [Phoebe]166-phoebe 's wrist , " [I]150-lady audley am ready to answer for [my]150-lady audley conduct ; but [I]150-lady audley would rather that the business should be kept quiet . [I]150-lady audley think that [I]150-lady audley can leave [this house]6101-this house without being seen by any living creature , if [you]166-phoebe will do as [I]150-lady audley tell [you]166-phoebe . "[150-lady audley] " [I]166-phoebe will do anything [you]150-lady audley wish , [[my]166-phoebe lady]468-my lady , "[166-phoebe] answered [Phoebe]166-phoebe , submissively . " Then [you]150-lady audley will wish [me]166-phoebe good - night presently , when [[my]166-phoebe maid]7450-my maid comes into [the room]595-the room , and [you]150-lady audley will suffer [her]7450-my maid to show [you]150-lady audley out of [the house]388-the house . [You]150-lady audley will cross [the courtyard]7453-the courtyard and wait for [me]166-phoebe in [the avenue upon the other side of the archway]7454-the avenue upon the other side of the archway . It may be half an hour before [I]166-phoebe am able to join [you]150-lady audley , for [I]166-phoebe must not leave [[my]166-phoebe room]6080-my room till [the servants]545-the servants have all gone to bed , but [you]150-lady audley may wait for [me]166-phoebe patiently , for come what may [I]166-phoebe will join [you]150-lady audley . "[166-phoebe] [Lady Audley]150-lady audley 's face was no longer pale . An unnatural luster gleamed in [her]150-lady audley great blue eyes . [She]150-lady audley spoke with an unnatural rapidity . [She]150-lady audley had altogether the appearance and manner of [a person who has yielded to the dominant influence of some overpowering excitement]3484-a person who has yielded to the dominant influence of some overpowering excitement . [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe stared at [[her]166-phoebe late mistress]7394-her late mistress in mute bewilderment . [She]166-phoebe began to fear that [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady was going mad . The bell which [Lady Audley]150-lady audley rang was answered by [the smart lady's - maid who wore rose - colored ribbons , and black silk gowns , and other adornments which were unknown to [the humble people who sat below the salt in the good old days when [servants]7304-servants wore linsey - woolsey]3488-the humble people who sat below the salt in the good old days when servants wore linsey - woolsey]3487-the smart lady's - maid who wore rose - colored ribbons , and black silk gowns , and other adornments which were unknown to the humble people who sat below the salt in the good old days when servants wore linsey - woolsey . " [I]468-my lady did not know that it was so late , [Martin]207-martin , "[468-my lady] said [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , in that gentle tone which always won for [her]468-my lady the willing service of [[her]468-my lady inferiors]3491-her inferiors . " [I]468-my lady have been talking with [Mrs. Marks]221-mrs. marks and have let the time slip by [me]468-my lady . [I]468-my lady sha'n't want anything to - night , so [you]207-martin may go to bed when [you]207-martin please . "[468-my lady] " Thank [you]468-my lady , [my lady]468-my lady , "[753-the girl] answered [the girl]753-the girl , who looked very sleepy , and had some difficulty in repressing a yawn even in [[her]753-the girl mistress]1497-her mistress ' presence , for [the Audley household]3494-the audley household usually kept very early hours . " [I]5227-the maid 'd better show [Mrs. Marks]221-mrs. marks out , [[my]5227-the maid lady]468-my lady , had n't [I]5227-the maid ? "[5227-the maid] asked [the maid]5227-the maid , " before [I]5227-the maid go to bed ? "[5227-the maid] " Oh , yes , to be sure ; [you]468-my lady can let [Phoebe]166-phoebe out . [All the other servants]7459-all the other servants have gone to bed , then , [I]150-lady audley suppose ? "[150-lady audley] " Yes , [[my]150-lady audley lady]468-my lady . "[150-lady audley] [Lady Audley]150-lady audley laughed as [she]150-lady audley glanced at the timepiece . " [We]7461-we have been terrible dissipated up here , [Phoebe]166-phoebe , "[150-lady audley] [she]150-lady audley said . " Good - night . [You]166-phoebe may tell [[your]166-phoebe husband]3377-your husband that [his]3377-your husband rent shall be paid . "[150-lady audley] " Thank [you]150-lady audley very much , [[my]166-phoebe lady]468-my lady , and good - night , "[166-phoebe] murmured [Phoebe]166-phoebe as [she]166-phoebe backed out of [the room]595-the room , followed by [[the lady]673-the lady 's maid]1504-the lady 's maid . [Lady Audley]150-lady audley listened at the door , waiting till the muffled sounds of [their]3499-their footsteps died away in [the octagon chamber]3500-the octagon chamber and on the carpeted staircase . " [Martin]207-martin sleeps at [the top of [the house]388-the house]610-the top of the house , "[150-lady audley] [she]150-lady audley said , " half a mile away from [this room]5247-this room . In ten minutes [I]150-lady audley may safely make [my]150-lady audley escape . "[150-lady audley] [She]150-lady audley went back into [[her]150-lady audley dressing - room]5211-her dressing - room , and put on [her]150-lady audley cloak and bonnet for the second time . The unnatural color still burnt like a flame in [her]150-lady audley cheeks ; the unnatural light still glittered in [her]150-lady audley eyes . The excitement which [she]150-lady audley was under held [her]150-lady audley in so strong a spell that neither [her]150-lady audley mind nor [her]150-lady audley body seemed to have any consciousness of fatigue . However verbose [I]0-i may be in [my]0-i description of [her]150-lady audley feelings , [I]0-i can never describe a tithe of [her]150-lady audley thoughts or [her]150-lady audley sufferings . [She]150-lady audley suffered agonies that would fill closely printed volumes , bulky with a thousand pages , in that one horrible night . [She]150-lady audley underwent volumes of anguish , and doubt , and perplexity ; sometimes repeating the same chapters of [her]150-lady audley torments over and over again ; sometimes hurrying through a thousand pages of [her]150-lady audley misery without one pause , without one moment of breathing time . [She]150-lady audley stood by the low fender in [her]150-lady audley boudoir , watching the minute - hand of the clock , and waiting till it should be time for [her]150-lady audley to leave [the house]388-the house in safety . " [I]150-lady audley will wait ten minutes , "[150-lady audley] [she]150-lady audley said , " not a moment beyond , before [I]150-lady audley enter on [my]150-lady audley new peril . "[150-lady audley] [She]150-lady audley listened to the wild roaring of the March wind , which seemed to have risen with the stillness and darkness of the night . The hand slowly made its inevitable way to [the figures which told that the ten minutes]3503-the figures which told that the ten minutes were past . It was exactly a quarter to twelve when [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady took [her]150-lady audley lamp in [her]150-lady audley hand , and stole softly from [the room]595-the room . [Her]150-lady audley footfall was as light as that of some graceful wild animal , and there was no fear of that airy step awakening any echo upon [the carpeted stone corridors and staircase]3506-the carpeted stone corridors and staircase . [She]150-lady audley did not pause until [she]150-lady audley reached [the vestibule upon the ground floor]3507-the vestibule upon the ground floor . Several doors opened out of [the vestibule]3508-the vestibule , which was octagon , like [[[my]0-i lady]468-my lady 's ante - chamber]3510-my lady 's ante - chamber . One of these doors led into [the library]5301-the library , and it was this door which [Lady Audley]150-lady audley opened softly and cautiously . To have attempted to leave [the house]388-the house secretly by any of [the principal outlets]3513-the principal outlets would have been simple madness , for [the housekeeper]486-the housekeeper [herself]486-the housekeeper superintended the barricading of the great doors , back and front . The secrets of the bolts , and bars , and chains , and bells which secured these doors , and provided for the safety of [[Sir Michael Audley]146-sir michael 's plate - room]3515-sir michael audley 's plate - room , the door of which was lined with sheet - iron , were known only to [the servants who had to deal with [them]3517-them]3516-the servants who had to deal with them . But although all these precautions were taken with [the principal entrances to [the citadel]3519-the citadel]3518-the principal entrances to the citadel , a wooden shutter and a slender iron bar , light enough to be lifted by [a child]4759-a child , were considered sufficient safeguard for the half - glass door which opened out of [the breakfast - room]5404-the breakfast - room into the graveled pathway and smooth turf in [the courtyard]7453-the courtyard . It was by this outlet that [Lady Audley]150-lady audley meant to make [her]150-lady audley escape . [She]150-lady audley could easily remove the bar and unfasten the shutter , and [she]150-lady audley might safely venture to leave the window ajar while [she]150-lady audley was absent . There was little fear of [Sir Michael]146-sir michael 's awaking for some time , as [he]146-sir michael was a heavy sleeper in the early part of the night , and had slept more heavily than usual since [his]146-sir michael illness . [Lady Audley]150-lady audley crossed [the library]5301-the library , and opened the door of [the breakfast - room]5404-the breakfast - room , which communicated with [it]5301-the library . [This latter apartment]3525-this latter apartment was [one of the later additions to [the Court]373-the court]3526-one of the later additions to the court . [It]3525-this latter apartment was [a simple , cheerful chamber]3528-a simple , cheerful chamber , with brightly papered walls and pretty maple furniture , and was more occupied by [Alicia]149-alicia than [any one else]4650-any one else . The paraphernalia of [that young lady]3530-that young lady 's favorite pursuits were scattered about [the room]595-the room — drawing - materials , unfinished scraps of work , tangled skeins of silk , and all the other tokens of [a careless damsel]3532-a careless damsel 's presence ; while [Miss Audley]149-alicia 's picture — a pretty crayon sketch of [a rosy - faced hoyden in a riding - habit and hat]3533-a rosy - faced hoyden in a riding - habit and hat — hung over the quaint Wedgewood ornaments on the chimneypiece . [[My]0-i lady]468-my lady looked upon these familiar objects with scornful hatred flaming in [her]468-my lady blue eyes . " How glad [she]3530-that young lady will be if any disgrace befalls [me]468-my lady , "[468-my lady] [she]468-my lady thought ; " how [she]3530-that young lady will rejoice if [I]468-my lady am driven out of [this house]6101-this house ! "[468-my lady] [Lady Audley]150-lady audley set the lamp upon a table near the fireplace , and went to the window . [She]150-lady audley removed the iron - bar and the light wooden shutter , and then opened the glass - door . The March night was black and moonless , and a gust of wind blew in upon [her]150-lady audley as [she]150-lady audley opened this door , and filled [the room]595-the room with its chilly breath , extinguishing the lamp upon the table . " No matter , "[468-my lady] [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady muttered , " [I]150-lady audley could not have left it burning . [I]150-lady audley shall know how to find [my]150-lady audley way through [the house]388-the house when [I]150-lady audley come back . [I]150-lady audley have left all the doors ajar . "[150-lady audley] [She]150-lady audley stepped quickly out upon [the smooth gravel]3537-the smooth gravel , and closed the glass - door behind [her]150-lady audley . [She]150-lady audley was afraid lest that treacherous wind should blow - to the door opening into [the library]5301-the library , and thus betray [her]150-lady audley . [She]150-lady audley was in [the quadrangle]7021-the quadrangle now , with that chill wind sweeping against [her]150-lady audley , and swirling [her]150-lady audley silken garments round [her]150-lady audley with a shrill , rustling noise , like the whistling of a sharp breeze against the sails of [a yacht]849-a yacht . [She]150-lady audley crossed [the quadrangle]7021-the quadrangle and looked back — looked back for a moment at the firelight gleaming between the rosy - tinted curtains in [her]150-lady audley boudoir , and the dim gleam of the lamp through the mullioned windows in [the room where [Sir Michael Audley]146-sir michael lay asleep]3542-the room where sir michael audley lay asleep . " [I]150-lady audley feel as if [I]150-lady audley were running away , "[150-lady audley] [she]150-lady audley thought ; " [I]150-lady audley feel as if [I]150-lady audley were running away secretly in the dead of the night , to lose [myself]150-lady audley and be forgotten . Perhaps it would be wiser in [me]150-lady audley to run away , to take [this man]4719-this man 's warning , and escape out of [his]4719-this man power forever . If [I]150-lady audley were to run away and disappear as — as [George Talboys]181-george talboys disappeared . But where could [I]150-lady audley go ? what would become of [me]150-lady audley ? [I]150-lady audley have no money ; [my]150-lady audley jewels are not worth a couple of hundred pounds , now that [I]150-lady audley have got rid of the best part of them . What could [I]150-lady audley do ? [I]150-lady audley must go back to the old life , the old , hard , cruel , wretched life — the life of poverty , and humiliation , and vexation , and discontent . [I]150-lady audley should have to go back and wear [myself]150-lady audley out in that long struggle , and die — as [[my]150-lady audley mother]4646-my mother died , perhaps ! "[150-lady audley] [[My]0-i lady]468-my lady stood still for a moment on [the smooth lawn between [the quadrangle]7021-the quadrangle and the archway]3544-the smooth lawn between the quadrangle and the archway , with [her]468-my lady head drooping upon [her]468-my lady breast and [her]468-my lady hands locked together , debating this question in the unnatural activity of [her]468-my lady mind . [Her]468-my lady attitude reflected the state of that mind — it expressed irresolution and perplexity . But presently a sudden change came over [her]468-my lady ; [she]468-my lady lifted [her]468-my lady head — lifted it with an action of defiance and determination . " No ! [Mr. Robert Audley]173-robert , "[468-my lady] [she]468-my lady said , aloud , in a low , clear voice ; " [I]468-my lady will not go back — [I]468-my lady will not go back . If the struggle between [us]7471-us is to be a duel to the death , [you]173-robert shall not find [me]468-my lady drop [my]468-my lady weapon . "[468-my lady] [She]468-my lady walked with a firm and rapid step under the archway . As [she]468-my lady passed under that massive arch , it seemed as if [she]468-my lady disappeared into [some black gulf that had waited open to receive [her]468-my lady]3546-some black gulf that had waited open to receive her . The stupid clock struck twelve , and the whole archway seemed to vibrate under its heavy strokes , as [Lady Audley]150-lady audley emerged upon the other side and joined [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe , who had waited for [[her]150-lady audley late mistress]7394-her late mistress very near [the gateway of [the Court]373-the court]3548-the gateway of the court . " Now , [Phoebe]166-phoebe , "[468-my lady] [she]468-my lady said , " it is three miles from here to [Mount Stanning]69-mount stanning , is n't it ? "[468-my lady] " Yes , [[my]150-lady audley lady]468-my lady . "[150-lady audley] " Then [we]7473-we can walk the distance in an hour and a half . "[150-lady audley] [Lady Audley]150-lady audley had not stopped to say this ; [she]150-lady audley was walking quickly along [the avenue]754-the avenue with [[her]150-lady audley humble companion]3551-her humble companion by [her]150-lady audley side . Fragile and delicate as [she]150-lady audley was in appearance , [she]150-lady audley was [a very good walker]3552-a very good walker . [She]150-lady audley had been in the habit of taking long country rambles with [[Mr. Dawson]151-mr. dawson 's children]3553-mr. dawson 's children in [her]150-lady audley old days of dependence , and [she]150-lady audley thought very little of a distance of three miles . " [[Your]150-lady audley beautiful husband]7474-your beautiful husband will sit up for [you]150-lady audley , [I]150-lady audley suppose , [Phoebe]166-phoebe ? "[150-lady audley] [she]150-lady audley said , as [they]3554-they struck across an open field that was used as [a short cut from [Audley Court]1-audley court to [the high - road]6333-the high - road]3555-a short cut from audley court to the high - road . " Oh , yes , [[my]150-lady audley lady]468-my lady ; [he]7474-your beautiful husband 's sure to sit up . [He]7474-your beautiful husband 'll be drinking with [the man]634-the man , [I]150-lady audley dare say . "[150-lady audley] " [The man]634-the man ! [What man]7478-what man ? "[150-lady audley] " [The man that 's in possession]7479-the man that 's in possession , [[my]150-lady audley lady]468-my lady . "[150-lady audley] " Ah , to be sure , "[150-lady audley] said [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , indifferently . It was strange that [Phoebe]166-phoebe 's domestic troubles should seem so very far away from [her]166-phoebe thoughts at the time [she]166-phoebe was taking such an extraordinary step toward setting things right at [the Castle Inn]54-the castle inn . [The two women]1218-the two women crossed [the field]5295-the field and turned into [the high road]3559-the high road . The way to [Mount Stanning]69-mount stanning was all [up hill]3560-up hill , and [the long road]3561-the long road looked black and dreary in the dark night ; but [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady walked on with a desperate courage , which was no common constituent in [her]468-my lady selfish sensuous nature , but a strange faculty born out of [her]468-my lady great despair . [She]468-my lady did not speak again to [[her]468-my lady companion]788-her companion until [they]1218-the two women were close upon the glimmering lights at [the top of [the hill]1906-the hill]3564-the top of the hill . One of these village lights , glaring redly through a crimson curtain , marked out the particular window behind which it was likely that [Luke Marks]167-luke sat nodding drowsily over [his]167-luke liquor , and waiting for the coming of [[his]167-luke wife]554-his wife . " [He]167-luke has not gone to bed , [Phoebe]166-phoebe , "[468-my lady] said [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , eagerly . " But there is no other light burning at [the inn]5152-the inn . [I]468-my lady suppose [Mr. Audley]173-robert is in bed and asleep . "[468-my lady] " Yes , [[my]468-my lady lady]468-my lady , [I]468-my lady suppose so . "[468-my lady] " [You]468-my lady are sure [he]167-luke was going to stay at [the Castle]4914-the castle to night ? "[468-my lady] " Oh , yes , [[my]468-my lady lady]468-my lady . [I]468-my lady helped [the girl]753-the girl to get [[his]167-luke room]6452-his room ready before [I]468-my lady came away . "[468-my lady] The wind , boisterous everywhere , was even shriller and more pitiless in the neighborhood of [that bleak hill - top upon which [the Castle Inn]1595-the castle inn]3568-that bleak hill - top upon which the castle inn reared [its]1595-the castle inn rickety walls . The cruel blasts raved wildly round that frail erection . [They]3570-they disported [themselves]3570-they with [the shattered pigeon - house]3571-the shattered pigeon - house , the broken weathercock , the loose tiles , and unshapely chimneys ; [they]3570-they rattled at the window - panes , and whistled in the crevices ; [they]3570-they mocked [the feeble building]3572-the feeble building from foundation to roof , and battered , and banged , and tormented [it]3572-the feeble building in [their]3570-they fierce gambols , until [it]3572-the feeble building trembled and rocked with the force of [their]3570-they rough play . [Mr. Luke Marks]167-luke had not troubled [himself]167-luke to secure the door of [[his]167-luke dwelling - house]3573-his dwelling - house before sitting down to booze with [the man who held provisional possession of [his]167-luke goods and chattels]3574-the man who held provisional possession of his goods and chattels . [The landlord of [the Castle Inn]1595-the castle inn]1606-the landlord of the castle inn was [a lazy , sensual brute]3577-a lazy , sensual brute , who had no thought higher than a selfish concern for [his]1606-the landlord of the castle inn own enjoyments , and a virulent hatred for anybody who stood in the way of [his]1606-the landlord of the castle inn gratification . [Phoebe]166-phoebe pushed open the door with [her]166-phoebe hand , and went into [the house]388-the house , followed by [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady . The gas was flaring in the bar , and smoking the low plastered ceiling . The door of [the bar - parlor]1874-the bar - parlor was half open , and [Lady Audley]150-lady audley heard the brutal laughter of [Mr. Marks]167-luke as [she]150-lady audley crossed the threshold of [the inn]5152-the inn . " [I]166-phoebe 'll tell [him]167-luke [you]7394-her late mistress 're here , [[my]166-phoebe lady]468-my lady , "[166-phoebe] whispered [Phoebe]166-phoebe to [[her]166-phoebe late mistress]7394-her late mistress . " [I]166-phoebe know [he]167-luke 'll be tipsy . [You]7394-her late mistress — [you]7394-her late mistress wo n't be offended , [[my]166-phoebe lady]468-my lady , if [he]167-luke should say anything rude ? [You]7394-her late mistress know it was n't [my]166-phoebe wish that [you]7394-her late mistress should come . "[166-phoebe] " Yes , yes , "[150-lady audley] answered [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , impatiently , " [I]150-lady audley know that . What should [I]150-lady audley care for [his]167-luke rudeness ! Let [him]167-luke say what [he]167-luke likes . "[150-lady audley] [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe pushed open the parlor door , leaving [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady in the bar close behind [her]166-phoebe . [Luke]167-luke sat with [his]167-luke clumsy legs stretched out upon the hearth . [He]167-luke held a glass of gin - and - water in one hand and the poker in the other . [He]167-luke had just thrust the poker into a heap of black coals , and was scattering them to make a blaze , when [[his]167-luke wife]554-his wife appeared upon the threshold of [the room]595-the room . [He]167-luke snatched the poker from between the bars , and made a half drunken , half threatening motion with it as [he]167-luke saw [her]554-his wife . " So [you]554-his wife 've condescended to come [home]479-home at last , [ma'am]6062-ma'am , "[167-luke] [he]167-luke said ; " [I]167-luke thought [you]554-his wife was never coming no more . "[167-luke] [He]167-luke spoke in a thick and drunken voice , and was by no means too intelligible . [He]167-luke was steeped to the very lips in alcohol . [His]167-luke eyes were dim and watery ; [his]167-luke hands were unsteady ; [his]167-luke voice was choked and muffled with drink . [A brute]3586-a brute , even when most sober ; [a brute]3586-a brute , even on [his]3586-a brute best behavior , [he]3586-a brute was ten times more brutal in [his]3586-a brute drunkenness , when the few restraints which held [his]3586-a brute ignorant , every day brutality in check were flung aside in the indolent recklessness of intoxication . " [I]166-phoebe — [I've]166-phoebe been longer than [I]166-phoebe intended to be , [Luke]167-luke , "[166-phoebe] [Phoebe]166-phoebe answered , in [her]166-phoebe most conciliatory manner ; " but [I]166-phoebe 've seen [[my]166-phoebe lady]468-my lady , and [she]468-my lady 's been very kind , and — and [she]468-my lady 'll settle this business for [us]7492-us . "[166-phoebe] " [She]468-my lady 's been very kind , has [she]468-my lady ? "[167-luke] muttered [Mr. Marks]167-luke , with a drunken laugh ; " thank [her]468-my lady for nothing . [I]167-luke know the vally of [her]468-my lady kindness . [She]468-my lady 'd be oncommon kind , [I]167-luke dessay , if [she]468-my lady warn't obligated to be it . "[167-luke] [The man in possession , who had fallen into a maudlin and semi - unconscious state of intoxication]3588-the man in possession , who had fallen into a maudlin and semi - unconscious state of intoxication upon about a third of the liquor that [Mr. Marks]167-luke had consumed , only stared in feeble wonderment at [[his]3588-the man in possession , who had fallen into a maudlin and semi - unconscious state of intoxication host]3589-his host and [hostess]3590-hostess . [He]3588-the man in possession , who had fallen into a maudlin and semi - unconscious state of intoxication sat near the table . Indeed , [he]3588-the man in possession , who had fallen into a maudlin and semi - unconscious state of intoxication had hooked [himself]3588-the man in possession , who had fallen into a maudlin and semi - unconscious state of intoxication on to it with [his]3588-the man in possession , who had fallen into a maudlin and semi - unconscious state of intoxication elbows , as a safeguard against sliding under it , and [he]3588-the man in possession , who had fallen into a maudlin and semi - unconscious state of intoxication was making imbecile attempts to light [his]3588-the man in possession , who had fallen into a maudlin and semi - unconscious state of intoxication pipe at the flame of a guttering tallow candle near [him]3588-the man in possession , who had fallen into a maudlin and semi - unconscious state of intoxication . " [[My]166-phoebe lady]468-my lady has promised to settle the business for [us]7494-us , [Luke]167-luke , "[166-phoebe] [Phoebe]166-phoebe repeated , without noticing [Luke]167-luke 's remarks . [She]166-phoebe knew [[her]166-phoebe husband]469-her husband 's dogged nature well enough by this time to know that it was worse than useless to try to stop [him]469-her husband from doing or saying anything which [his]469-her husband own stubborn will led [him]469-her husband to do or say . " [[My]166-phoebe lady]468-my lady will settle it , "[166-phoebe] [she]166-phoebe said , " and [she]468-my lady 's come down here to see about it to - night , "[166-phoebe] [she]166-phoebe added . The poker dropped from [the landlord]5144-the landlord 's hand , and fell clattering among the cinders on the hearth . " [[My]469-her husband Lady [Audley]150-lady audley]7496-my lady audley come here to - night ! "[469-her husband] [he]469-her husband said . " Yes , [Luke]167-luke . "[469-her husband] [[My]0-i lady]468-my lady appeared upon the threshold of the door as [Phoebe]166-phoebe spoke . " Yes , [Luke Marks]167-luke , "[468-my lady] [she]468-my lady said , " [I]468-my lady have come to pay [this man]4719-this man , and to send [him]4719-this man about [his]4719-this man business . "[468-my lady] [Lady Audley]150-lady audley said these words in a strange , semi - mechanical manner ; very much as if [she]468-my lady had learned the sentence by rote , and were repeating it without knowing what [she]468-my lady said . [Mr. Marks]167-luke gave a discontented growl , and set [his]167-luke empty glass down upon the table with an impatient gesture . " [You]166-phoebe might have given the money to [Phoebe]166-phoebe , "[167-luke] [he]167-luke said , " as well as have brought it [yourself]166-phoebe . [We]7498-we do n't want [no fine ladies]7499-no fine ladies up here , pryin ' and pokin ' [their]7499-no fine ladies precious noses into everythink . "[167-luke] " [Luke]167-luke , [Luke]167-luke ! "[166-phoebe] remonstrated [Phoebe]166-phoebe , " when [[my]166-phoebe lady]468-my lady has been so kind ! "[166-phoebe] " Oh , damn [her]468-my lady kindness ! "[167-luke] cried [Mr. Marks]167-luke ; " it ai n't [her]468-my lady kindness as [we]7498-we want , [gal]7501-gal , it 's [her]468-my lady money . [She]468-my lady wo n't get no snivelin ' gratitood from [me]167-luke . Whatever [she]468-my lady does for [us]7498-we [she]468-my lady does because [she]468-my lady is obliged ; and if [she]468-my lady was n't obliged [she]468-my lady would n't do it — "[167-luke] Heaven knows how much more [Luke Marks]167-luke might have said , had not [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady turned upon [him]167-luke suddenly and awed [him]167-luke into silence by the unearthly glitter of [her]468-my lady beauty . [Her]468-my lady hair had been blown away from [her]468-my lady face , and being of a light , feathery quality , had spread itself into a tangled mass that surrounded [her]468-my lady forehead like a yellow flame . There was another flame in [her]468-my lady eyes — a greenish light , such as might flash from the changing - hued orbs of an angry mermaid . " Stop , "[468-my lady] [she]468-my lady cried . " [I]468-my lady did n't come up here in the dead of night to listen to [your]167-luke insolence . How much is this debt ? "[468-my lady] " Nine pound . "[150-lady audley] [Lady Audley]150-lady audley produced [her]150-lady audley purse — a toy of ivory , silver , and turquoise — [she]150-lady audley took from it a note and four sovereigns . [She]150-lady audley laid these upon the table . " Let [that man]1095-that man give [me]150-lady audley a receipt for the money , "[150-lady audley] [she]150-lady audley said , " before [I]150-lady audley go . "[150-lady audley] It was some time before [the man]634-the man could be roused into sufficient consciousness for the performance of this simple duty , and it was only by dipping a pen into the ink and pushing it between [his]634-the man clumsy fingers , that [he]634-the man was at last made to comprehend that [his]634-the man autograph was wanted at the bottom of the receipt which had been made out by [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe . [Lady Audley]150-lady audley took the document as soon as the ink was dry , and turned to leave [the parlor]4803-the parlor . [Phoebe]166-phoebe followed [her]150-lady audley . " [You]150-lady audley must n't go [home]479-home alone , [[my]166-phoebe lady]468-my lady , "[166-phoebe] [she]166-phoebe said . " [You]150-lady audley 'll let [me]166-phoebe go with [you]150-lady audley ? "[166-phoebe] " Yes , yes ; [you]150-lady audley shall go [home]479-home with [me]1218-the two women . "[1218-the two women] [The two women]1218-the two women were standing near the door of [the inn]5152-the inn as [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady said this . [Phoebe]166-phoebe stared wonderingly at [[her]166-phoebe patroness]3600-her patroness . [She]3600-her patroness had expected that [Lady Audley]150-lady audley would be in a hurry to return [home]479-home after settling this business which [she]3600-her patroness had capriciously taken upon [herself]3600-her patroness ; but it was not so ; [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady stood leaning against [the inn]5152-the inn door and staring into vacancy , and again [Mrs. Marks]221-mrs. marks began to fear that trouble had driven [[her]221-mrs. marks late mistress]7394-her late mistress mad . A little Dutch clock in [the bar]4928-the bar struck two while [Lady Audley]150-lady audley lingered in this irresolute , absent manner . [She]150-lady audley started at the sound and began to tremble violently . " [I]150-lady audley think [I]150-lady audley am going to faint , [Phoebe]166-phoebe , "[150-lady audley] [she]150-lady audley said ; " where can [I]150-lady audley get some cold water ? "[150-lady audley] " The pump is in [the wash - house]7506-the wash - house , [[my]150-lady audley lady]468-my lady ; [I]150-lady audley 'll run and get [you]166-phoebe a glass of cold water . "[150-lady audley] " No , no , no , "[468-my lady] cried [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , clutching [Phoebe]166-phoebe 's arm as [she]468-my lady was about to run away upon this errand ; " [I]468-my lady 'll get it [myself]468-my lady . [I]468-my lady must dip [my]468-my lady head in a basin of water if [I]468-my lady want to save [myself]468-my lady from fainting . In which [room]1174-room does [Mr. Audley]173-robert sleep ? "[468-my lady] There was something so irrelevant in this question that [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe stared aghast at [[her]166-phoebe mistress]1497-her mistress before [she]166-phoebe answered it . " It was number three that [I]166-phoebe got ready , [[my]166-phoebe lady]468-my lady — [the front room]7510-the front room — [the room next to [ours]7512-ours]7511-the room next to ours , "[166-phoebe] [she]166-phoebe replied , after that pause of astonishment . " Give [me]468-my lady a candle , "[468-my lady] said [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady . " [I]468-my lady 'll go into [[your]1497-her mistress room]7513-your room , and get some water for [my]468-my lady head ; stay where [you]1497-her mistress are , and see that [that brute of [a husband of yours]7515-a husband of yours]7514-that brute of a husband of yours does not follow [me]468-my lady ! "[468-my lady] [She]468-my lady snatched the candle which [Phoebe]166-phoebe had lighted from [the girl]753-the girl 's hand and ran up the rickety , winding staircase which led to [the narrow corridor upon [the upper floor]3611-the upper floor]3610-the narrow corridor upon the upper floor . [Five bed - rooms]3612-five bed - rooms opened out of [this low - ceilinged , close - smelling corridor]3613-this low - ceilinged , close - smelling corridor ; the numbers of [these rooms]3614-these rooms were indicated by squat black figures painted upon the panels of the doors . [Lady Audley]150-lady audley had driven up to [Mount Stanning]222-mount stanning to inspect [the house]388-the house when [she]150-lady audley bought the business for [[her]150-lady audley servant 's bridegroom]3616-her servant 's bridegroom , and [she]150-lady audley knew [her]150-lady audley way about [the dilapidated old place]3617-the dilapidated old place ; [she]150-lady audley knew where to find [[Phoebe]166-phoebe 's bedroom]3618-phoebe 's bedroom , but [she]150-lady audley stopped before the door of [that other chamber which had been prepared for [Mr. Robert Audley]173-robert]3619-that other chamber which had been prepared for mr. robert audley . [She]150-lady audley stopped and looked at the number on the door . The key was in the lock , and [her]150-lady audley hand dropped upon it as if unconsciously . But presently [she]150-lady audley suddenly began to tremble again , as [she]150-lady audley had trembled a few minutes before at the striking of the clock . [She]150-lady audley stood for a few moments trembling thus , with [her]150-lady audley hand still upon the key ; then a horrible expression came over [her]150-lady audley face , and [she]150-lady audley turned the key in the lock . [She]150-lady audley turned it twice , double locking the door . There was no sound from within ; [the occupant of [the chamber]3621-the chamber]3620-the occupant of the chamber made no sign of having heard that ominous creaking of the rusty key in the rusty lock . [Lady Audley]150-lady audley hurried into [the next room]4946-the next room . [She]150-lady audley set the candle on the dressing - table , flung off [her]150-lady audley bonnet and slung it loosely across [her]150-lady audley arm ; then [she]150-lady audley went to the wash - stand and filled the basin with water . [She]150-lady audley plunged [her]150-lady audley golden hair into this water , and then stood for a few moments in the center of [the room]595-the room looking about [her]150-lady audley , with a white , earnest face , and an eager gaze that seemed to take in every object in [the poorly furnished chamber]3624-the poorly furnished chamber . [[Phoebe]166-phoebe 's bedroom]3618-phoebe 's bedroom was certainly very shabbily furnished ; [she]150-lady audley had been compelled to select all the most decent things for [those best bedrooms which were set apart for [any chance traveler who might stop for a night]3627-any chance traveler who might stop for a night 's lodging at [the Castle Inn]54-the castle inn]3626-those best bedrooms which were set apart for any chance traveler who might stop for a night 's lodging at the castle inn ; but [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe had done [her]166-phoebe best to atone for the lack of substantial furniture in [[her]166-phoebe apartment]3628-her apartment by a superabundance of drapery . Crisp curtains of cheap chintz hung from [the tent - bedstead]3629-the tent - bedstead ; festooned drapery of the same material shrouded the narrow window shutting out the light of day , and affording a pleasant harbor for tribes of flies and predatory bands of spiders . Even the looking - glass , a miserably cheap construction which distorted every face whose owner had the hardihood to look into it , stood upon a draperied altar of starched muslin and pink glazed calico , and was adorned with frills of lace and knitted work . [[My]0-i lady]468-my lady smiled as [she]468-my lady looked at the festoons and furbelows which met [her]468-my lady eyes upon every side . [She]468-my lady had reason , perhaps , to smile , remembering the costly elegance of [[her]468-my lady own apartments]1788-her own apartments ; but there was something in that sardonic smile that seemed to have a deeper meaning than any natural contempt for [Phoebe]166-phoebe 's attempts at decoration . [She]468-my lady went to the dressing - table and , smoothed [her]468-my lady wet hair before the looking - glass , and then put on [her]468-my lady bonnet . [She]468-my lady was obliged to place the flaming tallow candle very close to the lace furbelows about the glass ; so close that the starched muslin seemed to draw the flame toward it by some power of attraction in its fragile tissue . [Phoebe]166-phoebe waited anxiously by [the inn]5152-the inn door for [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady 's coming [She]166-phoebe watched the minute hand of the little Dutch clock , wondering at the slowness of its progress . It was only ten minutes past two when [Lady Audley]150-lady audley came down [- stairs]3634-- stairs , with [her]150-lady audley bonnet on and [her]150-lady audley hair still wet , but without the candle . [Phoebe]166-phoebe was immediately anxious about this missing candle . " The light , [[my]166-phoebe lady]468-my lady , "[166-phoebe] [she]166-phoebe said , " [you]468-my lady have left it up - [stairs]5306-stairs ! "[166-phoebe] " The wind blew it out as [I]150-lady audley was leaving [[your]468-my lady room]7513-your room , "[150-lady audley] [Lady Audley]150-lady audley answered , quietly . " [I]150-lady audley left it [there]374-there . "[150-lady audley] " In [[my]166-phoebe room]6080-my room , [[my]166-phoebe lady]468-my lady ? "[166-phoebe] " Yes . "[166-phoebe] " And it was quite out ? "[150-lady audley] " Yes , [I]166-phoebe tell [you]468-my lady ; why do [you]468-my lady worry [me]166-phoebe about [your]468-my lady candle ? It is past two o'clock . Come . "[166-phoebe] [She]166-phoebe took [the girl]753-the girl 's arm , and half led , half dragged [her]753-the girl from [the house]388-the house . The convulsive pressure of [her]166-phoebe slight hand held [her]753-the girl firmly as an iron vise could have held [her]753-the girl . The fierce March wind banged to the door of [the house]388-the house , and left [the two women]1218-the two women standing outside [it]388-the house . [The long , black road]3639-the long , black road lay bleak and desolate before [them]1218-the two women , dimly visible between [straight lines of leafless hedges]3640-straight lines of leafless hedges . A walk of three miles ' length upon [a lonely country road]3641-a lonely country road , between the hours of two and four on a cold winter 's morning , is scarcely a pleasant task for [a delicate woman]3642-a delicate woman — [a woman whose inclinations lean toward ease and luxury]3643-a woman whose inclinations lean toward ease and luxury . But [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady hurried along [the hard , dry highway]3645-the hard , dry highway , dragging [[her]166-phoebe companion]788-her companion with [her]166-phoebe as if [she]166-phoebe had been impelled by some horrible demoniac force which knew no abatement . With the black night above [them]1218-the two women — with the fierce wind howling around [them]1218-the two women , sweeping across [a broad expanse of hidden country]3647-a broad expanse of hidden country , blowing as if it had arisen simultaneously from every point of the compass , and making those wanderers the focus of its ferocity — [the two women]1218-the two women walked through the darkness down [the hill upon which [Mount Stanning]69-mount stanning stood]3649-the hill upon which mount stanning stood , along a mile and [a half of flat road]3650-a half of flat road , and then up [another hill]3651-another hill , on [the western side of which [Audley Court]1-audley court]3652-the western side of which audley court lay in [that sheltered valley]3653-that sheltered valley , which seemed to shut in [the old house]2590-the old house from all the clamor and hubbub of [the everyday world]3655-the everyday world . [[My]0-i lady]468-my lady stopped upon [the summit of [this hill]3658-this hill]3657-the summit of this hill to draw breath and to clasp [her]468-my lady hands upon [her]468-my lady heart , in the vain hope that [she]468-my lady might still its cruel beating . [They]1218-the two women were now within three - quarters of a mile of [the Court]373-the court , and [they]1218-the two women had been walking for nearly an hour since [they]1218-the two women had left [the Castle Inn]1595-the castle inn . [Lady Audley]150-lady audley stopped to rest , with [her]150-lady audley face still turned toward [the place of [her]150-lady audley destination]3661-the place of her destination . [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe , stopping also , and very glad of a moment 's pause in that hurried journey , looked back into the far darkness beneath which lay that dreary shelter that had given [her]166-phoebe so much uneasiness . And [she]166-phoebe did so , [she]166-phoebe uttered a shrill cry of horror , and clutched wildly at [[her]166-phoebe companion]788-her companion 's cloak . The night sky was no longer all dark . The thick blackness was broken by one patch of lurid light . " [[My]166-phoebe lady]468-my lady , [[my]166-phoebe lady]468-my lady ! "[166-phoebe] cried [Phoebe]166-phoebe , pointing to this lurid patch ; " do [you]468-my lady see ? "[166-phoebe] " Yes , [child]4733-child , [I]150-lady audley see , "[150-lady audley] answered [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , trying to shake the clinging hands from [her]150-lady audley garments . " What 's the matter ? "[150-lady audley] " It 's a fire — a fire , [[my]166-phoebe lady]468-my lady ! "[166-phoebe] " Yes , [I]166-phoebe am afraid it is a fire . At [Brentwood]65-brentwood , most likely . Let [me]166-phoebe go , [Phoebe]166-phoebe ; it 's nothing to [us]7526-us . "[166-phoebe] " Yes , yes , [[my]150-lady audley lady]468-my lady ; it 's nearer than [Brentwood]65-brentwood — much nearer ; it 's at [Mount Stanning]69-mount stanning . "[150-lady audley] [Lady Audley]150-lady audley did not answer . [She]150-lady audley was trembling again , with the cold perhaps , for the wind had torn [her]150-lady audley heavy cloak from [her]150-lady audley shoulders , and had left [her]150-lady audley slender figure exposed to the blast . " It 's at [Mount Stanning]222-mount stanning , [[my]166-phoebe lady]468-my lady ! "[166-phoebe] cried [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe . " It 's [the Castle]4914-the castle that 's on fire — [I]753-the girl know it is , [I]753-the girl know it is ! [I]753-the girl thought of fire to - night , and [I]753-the girl was fidgety and uneasy , for [I]753-the girl knew this would happen some day . [I]753-the girl would n't mind if it was only [the wretched place]7530-the wretched place , but there 'll be life lost , there 'll be life lost ! "[753-the girl] sobbed [the girl]753-the girl , distractedly . " There 's [Luke]167-luke , too tipsy to help [himself]167-luke , unless [others]5097-others help [him]167-luke ; there 's [Mr. Audley]173-robert asleep — "[753-the girl] [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe stopped suddenly at the mention of [Robert]173-robert 's name , and fell upon [her]166-phoebe knees , clasping [her]166-phoebe uplifted hands , and appealing wildly to [Lady Audley]150-lady audley . " Oh , [[my]166-phoebe God]5536-my god ! "[166-phoebe] [she]166-phoebe cried . " Say it 's not true , [[my]166-phoebe lady]468-my lady , say it 's not true ! It 's too horrible , it 's too horrible , it 's too horrible ! "[166-phoebe] " What 's too horrible ? "[3665-the kneeling woman] " The thought that 's in [my]166-phoebe mind ; the terrible thought that 's in [my]166-phoebe mind . "[166-phoebe] " What do [you]166-phoebe mean , [girl]3405-girl ? "[468-my lady] cried [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , fiercely . " Oh , [God]164-god forgive [me]3665-the kneeling woman if [I]3665-the kneeling woman 'm wrong ! "[3665-the kneeling woman] [the kneeling woman]3665-the kneeling woman gasped in detached sentences , " and [God]164-god grant [I]3665-the kneeling woman may be . Why did [you]166-phoebe go up to [the Castle]113-the castle , [[my]3665-the kneeling woman lady]468-my lady ? Why were [you]166-phoebe so set on going against all [I]3665-the kneeling woman could say — [you]166-phoebe who are so bitter against [Mr. Audley]173-robert and against [Luke]167-luke , and who knew [they]7536-they were [both under that roof]7537-both under that roof ? Oh , tell [me]3665-the kneeling woman that [I]3665-the kneeling woman do [you]166-phoebe a cruel wrong , [[my]3665-the kneeling woman lady]468-my lady ; tell [me]3665-the kneeling woman so — tell [me]3665-the kneeling woman ! for as there is a Heaven above [me]3665-the kneeling woman [I]3665-the kneeling woman think that [you]166-phoebe went to [that place]7539-that place to - night on purpose to set fire to [it]7539-that place . Tell [me]3665-the kneeling woman that [I]3665-the kneeling woman 'm wrong , [[my]3665-the kneeling woman lady]468-my lady ; tell [me]3665-the kneeling woman that [I]3665-the kneeling woman 'm doing [you]166-phoebe a wicked wrong . "[3665-the kneeling woman] " [I]150-lady audley will tell [you]166-phoebe nothing , except that [you]166-phoebe are [a mad woman]7541-a mad woman , "[150-lady audley] answered [Lady Audley]150-lady audley ; in a cold , hard voice . " Get up ; [fool]3378-fool , [idiot]7543-idiot , [coward]7544-coward ! Is [[your]166-phoebe husband]3377-your husband such a precious bargain that [you]166-phoebe should be groveling there , lamenting and groaning for [him]3377-your husband ? What is [Robert Audley]173-robert to [you]166-phoebe , that [you]166-phoebe behave like [a maniac]7546-a maniac , because [you]166-phoebe think [he]3377-your husband is in danger ? How do [you]166-phoebe know the fire is at [Mount Stanning]69-mount stanning ? [You]166-phoebe see a red patch in the sky , and [you]166-phoebe cry out directly that [[your]166-phoebe own paltry hovel]7547-your own paltry hovel is in flames , as if there were no place in [the world that could burn except that]7548-the world that could burn except that . The fire may be at [Brentwood]65-brentwood , or further away — at [Romford]66-romford , or still further away , on [the eastern side of [London]3-london]7549-the eastern side of london , perhaps . Get up , [mad woman]7550-mad woman , and go back and look after [your]166-phoebe goods and chattels , and [[your]166-phoebe husband]3377-your husband and [[your]166-phoebe lodger]7552-your lodger . Get up and go : [I]150-lady audley do n't want [you]166-phoebe . "[150-lady audley] " Oh ! [[my]166-phoebe lady]468-my lady , [[my]166-phoebe lady]468-my lady , forgive [me]166-phoebe , "[166-phoebe] sobbed [Phoebe]166-phoebe ; " there 's nothing [you]166-phoebe can say to [me]166-phoebe that 's hard enough for having done [you]166-phoebe such a wrong , even in [my]166-phoebe thoughts . [I]166-phoebe do n't mind [your]166-phoebe cruel words — [I]166-phoebe do n't mind anything if [I]166-phoebe 'm wrong . "[166-phoebe] " Go back and see for [yourself]166-phoebe , "[150-lady audley] answered [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , sternly . " [I]150-lady audley tell [you]166-phoebe again , [I]150-lady audley do n't want [you]166-phoebe . "[150-lady audley] [She]150-lady audley walked away in the darkness , leaving [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe still kneeling upon [the hard road]3666-the hard road , where [she]150-lady audley had cast [herself]150-lady audley in that agony of supplication . [[Sir Michael]146-sir michael 's wife]6544-sir michael 's wife walked toward [the house in which [[her]6544-sir michael 's wife husband]469-her husband slept]3668-the house in which her husband slept with the red blaze lighting up the skies behind [her]6544-sir michael 's wife , and with nothing but the blackness of the night before . It was very late the next morning when [Lady Audley]150-lady audley emerged from [[her]150-lady audley dressing - room]5211-her dressing - room , exquisitely dressed in a morning costume of delicate muslin , delicate laces , and embroideries ; but with a very pale face , and with half - circles of purple shadow under [her]150-lady audley eyes . [She]150-lady audley accounted for this pale face and these hollow eyes by declaring that [she]150-lady audley had sat up reading until a very late hour on the previous night . [Sir Michael]146-sir michael and [[his]146-sir michael young wife]5117-his young wife breakfasted in [the library]5301-the library at a comfortable round table , wheeled close to the blazing fire ; and [Alicia]149-alicia was compelled to share this meal with [[her]149-alicia step - mother]5119-her step - mother , however [she]149-alicia might avoid [that lady]499-that lady in the long interval between breakfast and dinner . The March morning was bleak and dull , and a drizzling rain fell incessantly , obscuring the landscape and blotting out the distance . There were very few letters by the morning post ; the daily newspapers did not arrive until noon ; and such aids to conversation being missing , there was very little talk at the breakfast table . [Alicia]149-alicia looked out at the drizzling rain drifting against the broad window - panes . " No riding to - day , "[149-alicia] [she]149-alicia said ; " and no chance of [any callers]7555-any callers to enliven [us]7556-us , unless [that ridiculous Bob]7557-that ridiculous bob comes crawling through the wet from [Mount Stanning]222-mount stanning . "[149-alicia] Have [you]3675-you ever heard [anybody]706-anybody , whom [you]3675-you knew to be dead , alluded to in a light , easy going manner by [another person who did not know of [his]3678-his death — alluded to as doing that or this , as performing some trivial everyday operation — when [you]3675-you know that [he]3678-his has vanished away from the face of [this earth]1644-this earth , and separated [himself]3678-his forever from [all living creatures]3680-all living creatures and [their]3680-all living creatures commonplace pursuits in the awful solemnity of death]3677-another person who did not know of his death — alluded to as doing that or this , as performing some trivial everyday operation — when you know that he has vanished away from the face of this earth , and separated himself forever from all living creatures and their commonplace pursuits in the awful solemnity of death ? Such a chance allusion , insignificant though it may be , is apt to send a strange thrill of pain through the mind . The ignorant remark jars discordantly upon the hyper - sensitive brain ; [the King of Terrors]3681-the king of terrors is desecrated by that unwitting disrespect . Heaven knows what hidden reason [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady may have had for experiencing some such revulsion of feeling on the sudden mention of [Mr. Audley]173-robert 's name , but [her]468-my lady pale face blanched to a sickly white as [Alicia Audley]149-alicia spoke of [[her]468-my lady cousin]790-her cousin . " Yes , [he]3678-his will come down here in the wet , perhaps , "[5100-the young lady] [the young lady]5100-the young lady continued , " with [his]3678-his hat sleek and shining as if it had been brushed with a pat of fresh butter , and with white vapors steaming out of [his]3678-his clothes , and making [him]3678-his look like [an awkward genie]7558-an awkward genie just let out of [his]3678-his bottle . [He]3678-his will come down here and print impressions of [his]3678-his muddy boots all over the carpet , and [he]3678-his 'll sit on [your]5100-the young lady Gobelin tapestry , [[my]5100-the young lady lady]468-my lady , in [his]3678-his wet overcoat ; and [he]3678-his 'll abuse [you]5100-the young lady if [you]5100-the young lady remonstrate , and will ask why [people have chairs that are not to be sat upon]7560-people have chairs that are not to be sat upon , and why [you]5100-the young lady do n't live in [Figtree Court]14-figtree court , and — "[5100-the young lady] [Sir Michael Audley]146-sir michael watched [[his]146-sir michael daughter]556-his daughter with a thoughtful countenance as [she]556-his daughter talked of [[her]556-his daughter cousin]790-her cousin . [She]556-his daughter very often talked of [him]790-her cousin , ridiculing [him]790-her cousin and inveighing against [him]790-her cousin in no very measured terms . But perhaps [the baronet]465-the baronet thought of [a certain Signora Beatrice who very cruelly entreated [a gentleman called [Benedick]323-benedick]3689-a gentleman called benedick , but who was , it may be , heartily in love with [him]790-her cousin at the same time]3688-a certain signora beatrice who very cruelly entreated a gentleman called benedick , but who was , it may be , heartily in love with him at the same time . " What do [you]149-alicia think [Major Melville]324-major melville told [me]146-sir michael when [he]324-major melville called [here]4776-here yesterday , [Alicia]149-alicia ? "[146-sir michael] [Sir Michael]146-sir michael asked , presently . " [I]149-alicia have n't the remotest idea , "[149-alicia] replied [Alicia]149-alicia , rather disdainfully . " Perhaps [he]324-major melville told [you]146-sir michael that [we]7562-we should have another war before long , by [Ged]325-ged , [sir]900-sir ; or perhaps [he]324-major melville told [you]146-sir michael that [we]7562-we should have a new ministry , by [Ged]325-ged , [sir]900-sir , for that [those fellows]7565-those fellows are getting [themselves]7565-those fellows into a mess , [sir]900-sir ; or that [those other fellows]7567-those other fellows were reforming this , and cutting down that , and altering the other in the army , until , by [Ged]325-ged , [sir]900-sir , [we]7562-we shall have [no army]7569-no army at all , by - and - by — nothing but a pack of [boys]7570-boys , [sir]900-sir , crammed up to the eyes with [a lot of senseless schoolmasters]7572-a lot of senseless schoolmasters ' rubbish , and dressed in shell - jackets and calico helmets . Yes , [sir]900-sir , [they]7565-those fellows 're fighting in [Oudh]114-oudh in calico helmets at this very day , [sir]900-sir . "[149-alicia] " [You]146-sir michael 're [an impertinent minx]7575-an impertinent minx , [miss]1107-miss , "[465-the baronet] answered [the baronet]465-the baronet . " [Major Melville]324-major melville told [me]465-the baronet nothing of the kind ; but [he]324-major melville told [me]465-the baronet that [a very devoted admirer of [you]146-sir michael]7577-a very devoted admirer of you , [a certain [Sir Harry Towers]214-sir harry towers]7578-a certain sir harry towers , has forsaken [his]7578-a certain sir harry towers place in [Hertfordshire]63-hertfordshire , and [[his]7578-a certain sir harry towers hunting stable]7579-his hunting stable , and has gone on [the continent]4783-the continent for a twelvemonths ' tour . "[465-the baronet] [Miss Audley]149-alicia flushed up suddenly at the mention of [[her]149-alicia old adorer]3691-her old adorer , but recovered [herself]149-alicia very quickly . " [He]7578-a certain sir harry towers has gone on [the continent]4783-the continent , has [he]7578-a certain sir harry towers ? "[149-alicia] [she]149-alicia said indifferently . " [He]7578-a certain sir harry towers told [me]149-alicia that [he]7578-a certain sir harry towers meant to do so — if — if [he]7578-a certain sir harry towers did n't have everything [his]7578-a certain sir harry towers own way . [Poor fellow]2917-poor fellow ! [he]7578-a certain sir harry towers 's [a dear , good - hearted , stupid creature]7583-a dear , good - hearted , stupid creature , and twenty times better than [that peripatetic , patent refrigerator]7584-that peripatetic , patent refrigerator , [Mr. Robert Audley]173-robert . "[149-alicia] " [I]146-sir michael wish , [Alicia]149-alicia , [you]149-alicia were not so fond of ridiculing [Bob]174-bob , "[146-sir michael] [Sir Michael]146-sir michael said , gravely . " [Bob]174-bob is [a good fellow]4860-a good fellow , and [I]146-sir michael 'm as fond of [him]174-bob as if [he]174-bob 'd been [[my]146-sir michael own son]3314-my own son ; and — and — [I've]146-sir michael been very uncomfortable about [him]174-bob lately . [He]174-bob has changed very much within the last few days , and [he]174-bob has taken all sorts of absurd ideas into [his]174-bob head , and [[my]146-sir michael lady]468-my lady has alarmed [me]146-sir michael about [him]174-bob . [She]468-my lady thinks — "[146-sir michael] [Lady Audley]150-lady audley interrupted [[her]150-lady audley husband]469-her husband with a grave shake of [her]150-lady audley head . " It is better not to say too much about it as yet awhile , "[150-lady audley] [she]150-lady audley said ; " [Alicia]149-alicia knows what [I]150-lady audley think . "[150-lady audley] " Yes , "[149-alicia] replied [Miss Audley]149-alicia , " [[my]149-alicia lady]468-my lady thinks that [Bob]174-bob is going mad , but [I]149-alicia know better than that . [He]174-bob 's not at all [the sort of person to go mad]7589-the sort of person to go mad . How should such a sluggish ditch - pond of an intellect as [his]174-bob ever work itself into a tempest ? [He]174-bob may move about for the rest of [his]174-bob life , perhaps , in a tranquil state of semi - idiotcy , imperfectly comprehending who [he]174-bob is , and where [he]174-bob 's going , and what [he]174-bob 's doing — but [he]174-bob 'll never go mad . "[149-alicia] [Sir Michael]146-sir michael did not reply to this . [He]146-sir michael had been very much disturbed by [his]146-sir michael conversation with [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady on the previous evening , and had silently debated the painful question , in [his]146-sir michael mind ever since . [[His]146-sir michael wife]554-his wife — [the woman [he]146-sir michael best loved and most believed in]3695-the woman he best loved and most believed in — had told [him]146-sir michael , with all appearance of regret and agitation , [her]554-his wife conviction of [[his]146-sir michael nephew]5177-his nephew 's insanity . [He]146-sir michael tried in vain to arrive at the conclusion [he]146-sir michael wished most ardently to attain ; [he]146-sir michael tried in vain to think that [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady was misled by [her]468-my lady own fancies , and had no foundation for what [she]468-my lady said . But then , again , it suddenly flashed upon [him]146-sir michael , that to think this was to arrive at a worse conclusion ; it was to transfer the horrible suspicion from [[his]146-sir michael nephew]5177-his nephew to [[his]146-sir michael wife]554-his wife . [She]468-my lady appeared to be possessed with an actual conviction of [Robert]173-robert 's insanity . To imagine [her]468-my lady wrong was to imagine some weakness in [her]468-my lady own mind . The longer [he]146-sir michael thought of the subject the more it harassed and perplexed [him]146-sir michael . It was most certain that [the young man]667-the young man had always been eccentric . [He]667-the young man was sensible , [he]667-the young man was tolerably clever , [he]667-the young man was honorable and gentlemanlike in feeling , though perhaps a little careless in the performance of certain minor social duties ; but there were some slight differences , not easily to be defined , that separated [him]667-the young man from [other men of [his]667-the young man age and position]3701-other men of his age and position . Then , again , it was equally true that [he]667-the young man had very much changed within the period that had succeeded the disappearance of [George Talboys]181-george talboys . [He]667-the young man had grown moody and thoughtful , melancholy and absent - minded . [He]667-the young man had held [himself]667-the young man aloof from society , had sat for hours without speaking ; had talked at other points by fits and starts ; and had excited [himself]667-the young man unusually in the discussion of subjects which apparently lay far out of the region of [his]667-the young man own life and interests . Then there was even another region which seemed to strengthen [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady 's case against [this unhappy young man]3703-this unhappy young man . [He]667-the young man had been brought up in [the frequent society of [[his]667-the young man cousin]786-his cousin , [Alicia]149-alicia — [[his]667-the young man pretty , genial cousin]3706-his pretty , genial cousin — to whom interest , and [one]5487-one would have thought affection , naturally pointed as [[his]667-the young man most fitting bride]3708-his most fitting bride]3704-the frequent society of his cousin , alicia — his pretty , genial cousin — to whom interest , and one would have thought affection , naturally pointed as his most fitting bride . More than this , [the girl]753-the girl had shown [him]667-the young man , in the innocent guilelessness of a transparent nature , that on [her]753-the girl side at least , affection was not wanting ; and yet , in spite of all this , [he]667-the young man had held [himself]667-the young man aloof , and had allowed [others]5097-others to propose for [her]753-the girl hand , and to be rejected by [her]753-the girl , and had still made no sign . Now love is so very subtle an essence , such an indefinable metaphysical marvel , that its due force , though very cruelly felt by [the sufferer]3711-the sufferer [himself]3711-the sufferer , is never clearly understood by [those who look on at its torments]3712-those who look on at its torments and wonder why [he]3711-the sufferer takes the common fever so badly . [Sir Michael]146-sir michael argued that because [Alicia]149-alicia was [a pretty girl]4663-a pretty girl and [an amiable girl]3714-an amiable girl it was therefore extraordinary and unnatural in [Robert Audley]173-robert not to have duly fallen in love with [her]149-alicia . [This baronet]3715-this baronet , who close upon [his]3715-this baronet sixtieth birthday , had for the first time encountered that [one woman who out of [all the women in [the world]519-the world]3717-all the women in the world had power to quicken the pulses of [his]667-the young man heart]3716-one woman who out of all the women in the world had power to quicken the pulses of his heart , wondered why [Robert]173-robert failed to take the fever from the first breath of contagion that blew toward [him]173-robert . [He]3715-this baronet forgot that there are men who go [their]3719-their ways unscathed amidst legions of [lovely and generous women]3720-lovely and generous women , to succumb at last before [some harsh - featured virago , who knows the secret of that only philter which can intoxicate and bewitch [him]3715-this baronet]3721-some harsh - featured virago , who knows the secret of that only philter which can intoxicate and bewitch him . [He]3715-this baronet had forgot that there are [certain Jacks who go through life without meeting the Jill appointed for [them]3722-certain jacks who go through life without meeting the jill appointed for them by nemesis , and die old bachelors , perhaps , with poor jill pining an old maid upon the other side of the party - wall by [Nemesis]326-nemesis , and die [old bachelors]3723-old bachelors , perhaps , with [poor [Jill]327-jill pining [an old maid]3725-an old maid upon the other side of the party - wall]3724-poor jill pining an old maid upon the other side of the party - wall]3722-certain jacks who go through life without meeting the jill appointed for them by nemesis , and die old bachelors , perhaps , with poor jill pining an old maid upon the other side of the party - wall . [He]3715-this baronet forgot that love , which is a madness , and a scourge , and a fever , and a delusion , and a snare , is also a mystery , and very imperfectly understood by everyone except [the individual sufferer who writhes under its tortures]3726-the individual sufferer who writhes under its tortures . [Jones]269-mrs. jones , who is wildly enamored of [Miss Brown]328-miss brown , and who lies awake at night until [he]3715-this baronet loathes [his]3715-this baronet comfortable pillow and tumbles [his]3715-this baronet sheets into two twisted rags of linen in [his]3715-this baronet agonies , as if [he]3715-this baronet were [a prisoner and wanted to wind them into impromptu ropes]3727-a prisoner and wanted to wind them into impromptu ropes ; this same Jones who thinks [Russell Square]329-russell square a magic place because [his]3715-this baronet divinity inhabits [it]329-russell square , who thinks the trees in that inclosure and the sky above it greener and bluer than other trees or sky , and who feels a pang , yes , an actual pang , of mingled hope , and joy , and expectation , and terror , when [he]3715-this baronet emerges from [Guilford street]115-guilford street , descending from [the hights of [Islington]116-islington]3728-the hights of islington , into [those sacred precincts]3729-those sacred precincts ; [this very Jones]3730-this very jones is hard and callous toward the torments of [Smith]330-smith , who adores [Miss Robinson]331-miss robinson , and can not imagine what [the infatuated fellow]3731-the infatuated fellow can see in [the girl]753-the girl . So it was with [Sir Michael Audley]146-sir michael . [He]146-sir michael looked at [[his]146-sir michael nephew]5177-his nephew as a sample of [a very large class of young men]3734-a very large class of young men , and [[his]146-sir michael daughter]556-his daughter as a sample of [an equally extensive class of feminine goods]3736-an equally extensive class of feminine goods , and could not see why the two samples should not make a very respectable match . [He]146-sir michael ignored all those infinitesimal differences in nature which make the wholesome food of [one man]3737-one man the deadly poison of another . How difficult it is to believe sometimes that [a man]445-a man does n't like such and such a favorite dish . If at a dinner - party , [a meek looking guest]3739-a meek looking guest refuses early salmon and cucumbers , or green peas in February , [we]3740-we set [him]3739-a meek looking guest down as [a poor relation whose instincts warn [him]3739-a meek looking guest off those expensive plates]3741-a poor relation whose instincts warn him off those expensive plates . If [an alderman]3742-an alderman were to declare that [he]3742-an alderman did n't like green fat , [he]3742-an alderman would be looked upon as [a social martyr]3743-a social martyr , [a Marcus Curtius of the dinner - table]3744-a marcus curtius of the dinner - table , who immolated [himself]3742-an alderman for the benefit of [[his]3742-an alderman kind]3745-his kind . [[His]3742-an alderman fellow - aldermen]3746-his fellow - aldermen would believe in anything rather than an heretical distaste for the city ambrosia of the soup tureen . But there are [people who dislike salmon , and white - bait]3747-people who dislike salmon , and white - bait , and spring ducklings , and all manner of old - established delicacies , and there are [other people who affect eccentric and despicable dishes]3748-other people who affect eccentric and despicable dishes , generally stigmatized as nasty . Alas , [[my]0-i pretty [Alicia]149-alicia]3749-my pretty alicia , [[your]149-alicia cousin]5648-your cousin did not love [you]149-alicia ! [He]5648-your cousin admired [your]149-alicia rosy English face , and had a tender affection for [you]149-alicia which might perhaps have expanded by - and - by into something warm enough for matrimony , that every - day jog - trot species of union which demands no very passionate devotion , but for a sudden check which it had received in [Dorsetshire]76-dorsetshire . Yes , [Robert Audley]173-robert 's growing affection for [[his]173-robert cousin]786-his cousin , a plant of very slow growth , [I]0-i am fain to confess , had been suddenly dwarfed and stunted upon that bitter February day on which [he]173-robert had stood beneath the pine - trees talking to [Clara Talboys]256-clara talboys . Since that day [the young man]667-the young man had experienced an unpleasant sensation in thinking of poor [Alicia]149-alicia . [He]667-the young man looked at [her]149-alicia as being in some vague manner an incumbrance upon the freedom of [his]667-the young man thoughts ; [he]667-the young man had a haunting fear that [he]667-the young man was in some tacit way pledged to [her]149-alicia ; that [she]149-alicia had a species of claim upon [him]667-the young man , which forbade to [him]667-the young man the right of thinking of [another woman]5641-another woman . [I]0-i believe it was the image of [Miss Audley]149-alicia presented to [him]667-the young man in this light that goaded [the young barrister]5094-the young barrister into those outbursts of splenetic rage against the female sex which [he]667-the young man was liable to at certain times . [He]667-the young man was strictly honorable , so honorable that [he]667-the young man would rather have immolated [himself]667-the young man upon the altar of truth and [Alicia]149-alicia than have done [her]149-alicia the remotest wrong , though by so doing [he]667-the young man might have secured [his]667-the young man own comfort and happiness . " If [the poor little girl]7590-the poor little girl loves [me]667-the young man , "[667-the young man] [he]667-the young man thought , " and if [she]7590-the poor little girl thinks that [I]667-the young man love [her]7590-the poor little girl , and has been led to think so by any word or act of [mine]667-the young man , [I]667-the young man 'm in duty bound to let [her]7590-the poor little girl think so to the end of time , and to fulfill any tacit promise which [I]667-the young man may have unconsciously made . [I]667-the young man thought once — [I]667-the young man meant once to — to make [her]7590-the poor little girl an offer by - and - by when this horrible mystery about [George Talboys]181-george talboys should have been cleared up and everything peacefully settled — but now — "[667-the young man] [His]667-the young man thoughts would ordinarily wander away at this point of [his]667-the young man reflections , carrying [him]667-the young man where [he]667-the young man never had intended to go ; carrying [him]667-the young man back under the pine - trees in [Dorsetshire]76-dorsetshire , and setting [him]667-the young man once more face to face with [the sister of [[his]667-the young man missing friend]1256-his missing friend]3755-the sister of his missing friend , and it was generally a very laborious journey by which [he]667-the young man traveled back to the point from which [he]667-the young man strayed . It was so difficult for [him]667-the young man to tear [himself]667-the young man away from the stunted turf and [the pine - trees]3757-the pine - trees . " [Poor little girl]4653-poor little girl ! "[667-the young man] [he]667-the young man would think on coming back to [Alicia]149-alicia . " How good it is of [her]7590-the poor little girl to love [me]667-the young man , and how grateful ought [I]667-the young man to be for [her]7590-the poor little girl tenderness . How many [fellows]7592-fellows would think such a generous , loving heart the highest boon that earth could give [them]7592-fellows . There 's [Sir Harry Towers]214-sir harry towers stricken with despair at [his]214-sir harry towers rejection . [He]214-sir harry towers would give [me]667-the young man half [his]214-sir harry towers estate , all [his]214-sir harry towers estate , twice [[his]214-sir harry towers estate]3231-his estate , if [he]214-sir harry towers had it , to be in the shoes which [I]667-the young man am anxious to shake off [my]667-the young man ungrateful feet . Why do n't [I]667-the young man love [her]7590-the poor little girl ? Why is it that although [I]667-the young man know [her]7590-the poor little girl to be pretty , and pure , and good , and truthful , [I]667-the young man do n't love [her]7590-the poor little girl ? [Her]7590-the poor little girl image never haunts [me]667-the young man , except reproachfully . [I]667-the young man never see [her]7590-the poor little girl in [my]667-the young man dreams . [I]667-the young man never wake up suddenly in the dead of the night with [her]7590-the poor little girl eyes shining upon [me]667-the young man and [her]7590-the poor little girl warm breath upon [my]667-the young man cheek , or with the fingers of [her]7590-the poor little girl soft hand clinging to [mine]667-the young man . No , [I]667-the young man 'm not in love with [her]7590-the poor little girl , [I]667-the young man ca n't fall in love with [her]7590-the poor little girl . "[667-the young man] [He]3758-he raged and rebelled against [his]3758-he ingratitude . [He]3758-he tried to argue [himself]3758-he into a passionate attachment for [[his]3758-he cousin]786-his cousin , but [he]3758-he failed ignominiously , and the more [he]3758-he tried to think of [Alicia]149-alicia the more [he]3758-he thought of [Clara Talboys]256-clara talboys . [I]0-i am speaking now of [his]3758-he feelings in the period that elapsed between [his]3758-he return from [Dorsetshire]76-dorsetshire and [his]3758-he visit to [Grange Heath]83-grange heath . [Sir Michael]146-sir michael sat by [the library]5301-the library fire after breakfast upon this wretched rainy morning , writing letters and reading the newspapers . [Alicia]149-alicia shut [herself]149-alicia in [[her]149-alicia own apartment]3761-her own apartment to read the third volume of a novel . [Lady Audley]150-lady audley locked the door of [the octagon ante - chamber]6558-the octagon ante - chamber , and roamed up and down [the suite of rooms]3763-the suite of rooms from [the bedroom]3764-the bedroom to [the boudoir]5330-the boudoir all through that weary morning . [She]150-lady audley had locked the door to guard against the chance of [any one]5101-any one coming in suddenly and observing [her]150-lady audley before [she]150-lady audley was aware — before [she]150-lady audley had had sufficient warning to enable [her]150-lady audley to face [their]3767-their scrutiny . [Her]150-lady audley pale face seemed to grow paler as the morning advanced . A tiny medicine - chest was open upon the dressing - table , and little stoppered bottles of red lavender , sal - volatile , chloroform , chlorodyne , and ether were scattered about . Once [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady paused before this medicine - chest , and took out the remaining bottles , half - absently , perhaps , until [she]468-my lady came to one which was filled with a thick , dark liquid , and labeled " opium — poison . "[468-my lady] [She]468-my lady trifled a long time with this last bottle ; holding it up to the light , and even removing the stopper and smelling the sickly liquid . But [she]468-my lady put it from [her]468-my lady suddenly with a shudder . " If [I]468-my lady could ! "[468-my lady] [she]468-my lady muttered , " if [I]468-my lady could only do it ! And yet why should [I]468-my lady now ? "[468-my lady] [She]468-my lady clinched [her]468-my lady small hands as [she]468-my lady uttered the last words , and walked to the window of [the dressing - room]5226-the dressing - room , which looked straight toward that ivied archway under which [any one]5101-any one must come who came from [Mount Stanning]69-mount stanning to [the Court]373-the court . There were smaller gates in [the gardens]414-the gardens which led into [the meadows behind [the Court]373-the court]3773-the meadows behind the court , but there was no other way of coming from [Mount Stanning]69-mount stanning or [Brentwood]65-brentwood than by the principal entrance . The solitary hand of the clock over the archway was midway between one and two when [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady looked at it . " How slow the time is , "[468-my lady] [she]468-my lady said , wearily ; " how slow , how slow ! Shall [I]468-my lady grow old like this , [I]468-my lady wonder , with every minute of [my]468-my lady life seeming like an hour ? "[468-my lady] [She]468-my lady stood for a few minutes watching the archway , but [no one]507-no one passed under [it]3777-it while [she]468-my lady looked , and [she]468-my lady turned impatiently away from the window to resume [her]468-my lady weary wandering about [the rooms]803-the rooms . Whatever fire that had been which had reflected itself vividly in the black sky , no tidings of it had as yet come to [Audley Court]1-audley court . The day was miserably wet and windy , altogether the very last day upon which even [the most confirmed idler and gossip]3779-the most confirmed idler and gossip would care to venture out . It was not a market - day , and there were therefore [very few passengers upon [the road between [Brentwood]65-brentwood and [Chelmsford]38-chelmsford]3781-the road between brentwood and chelmsford]3780-very few passengers upon the road between brentwood and chelmsford , so that as yet no news of the fire , which had occurred in the dead of the wintry night , had reached [the village of Audley]5372-the village of audley , or traveled from [the village]5107-the village to [the Court]373-the court . [The girl with the rose - colored ribbons]3785-the girl with the rose - colored ribbons came to the door of [the anteroom]1108-the anteroom to summon [[her]3785-the girl with the rose - colored ribbons mistress]1497-her mistress to luncheon , but [Lady Audley]150-lady audley only opened the door a little way , and intimated [her]150-lady audley intention of taking no luncheon . " [My]150-lady audley head aches terribly , [Martin]207-martin , "[150-lady audley] [she]150-lady audley said ; " [I]150-lady audley shall go and lie down till dinner - time . [You]207-martin may come at five to dress [me]150-lady audley . "[150-lady audley] [Lady Audley]150-lady audley said this with the predetermination of dressing at four , and thus dispensing with the services of [[her]150-lady audley attendant]3788-her attendant . Among [all privileged spies]3789-all privileged spies , [a lady's - maid]3790-a lady's - maid has the highest privileges ; it is [she]3790-a lady's - maid who bathes [Lady Theresa]332-lady theresa 's eyes with eau - de - cologne after [[her]332-lady theresa ladyship]3791-her ladyship 's quarrel with [the colonel]3792-the colonel ; it is [she]3790-a lady's - maid who administers sal - volatile to [Miss Fanny]294-fanny when [Count Beaudesert]333-count beaudesert , of [the Blues]3793-the blues , has jilted [her]294-fanny . [She]150-lady audley has a hundred methods for the finding out of [[her]150-lady audley mistress]1497-her mistress ' secrets . [She]150-lady audley knows by the manner in which [[her]150-lady audley victim]3795-her victim jerks [her]3795-her victim head from under the hair - brush , or chafes at the gentlest administration of the comb , what hidden tortures are racking [her]3795-her victim breast — what secret perplexities are bewildering [her]3795-her victim brain . [That well - bred attendant]3796-that well - bred attendant knows how to interpret the most obscure diagnosis of all mental diseases that can afflict [[her]3796-that well - bred attendant mistress]1497-her mistress ; [she]3796-that well - bred attendant knows when the ivory complexion is bought and paid for — when the pearly teeth are foreign substances fashioned by [the dentist]3798-the dentist — when the glossy plaits are the relics of the dead , rather than the property of the living ; and [she]3796-that well - bred attendant knows other and more sacred secrets than these ; [she]3796-that well - bred attendant knows when the sweet smile is more false than [Madame Levison]334-madame levison 's enamel , and far less enduring — when the words that issue from between gates of borrowed pearl are more disguised and painted than the lips which help to shape them — when [the lovely fairy of [the ball - room]3800-the ball - room]3799-the lovely fairy of the ball - room re - enters [the dressing - room]5226-the dressing - room after the night 's long revelry , and throws aside [her]3799-the lovely fairy of the ball - room voluminous burnous and [her]3799-the lovely fairy of the ball - room faded bouquet , and drops [her]3799-the lovely fairy of the ball - room mask , and like [another Cinderella]3802-another cinderella loses the glass - slipper , by whose glitter [she]3799-the lovely fairy of the ball - room has been distinguished , and falls back into [her]3799-the lovely fairy of the ball - room rags and dirt , [[the lady]673-the lady 's maid]1504-the lady 's maid is by to see the transformation . [The valet who took wages from [the prophet of [Korazin]118-korazin]3806-the prophet of korazin]3805-the valet who took wages from the prophet of korazin must have seen [[his]3805-the valet who took wages from the prophet of korazin master]2445-his master sometimes unveiled , and must have laughed in [his]3805-the valet who took wages from the prophet of korazin sleeve at the folly of [the monster 's worshipers]3808-the monster 's worshipers . [Lady Audley]150-lady audley had made [no confidante of [[her]150-lady audley new maid]3810-her new maid]3809-no confidante of her new maid , and on this day of all others [she]150-lady audley wished to be alone . [She]150-lady audley did lie down ; [she]150-lady audley cast [herself]150-lady audley wearily upon the luxurious sofa in [the dressing - room]5226-the dressing - room , and buried [her]150-lady audley face in the down pillows and tried to sleep . [Sleep!—she]335-sleep!—she had almost forgotten what it was , [that tender restorer of tired nature]3812-that tender restorer of tired nature , it seemed so long now since [she]150-lady audley had slept . It was only about eight - and - forty hours perhaps , but it appeared an intolerable time . [Her]150-lady audley fatigue of the night before , and [her]150-lady audley unnatural excitement , had worn [her]150-lady audley out at last . [She]150-lady audley did fall asleep ; [she]150-lady audley fell into a heavy slumber that was almost like stupor . [She]150-lady audley had taken a few drops out of the opium bottle in a glass of water before lying down . The clock over the mantelpiece chimed the quarter before four as [she]150-lady audley woke suddenly and started up , with the cold perspiration breaking out in icy drops upon [her]150-lady audley forehead . [She]150-lady audley had dreamt that [every member of [the household]3814-the household]3813-every member of the household was clamoring at the door , eager to tell [her]150-lady audley of a dreadful fire that had happened in the night . There was no sound but the flapping of the ivy - leaves against the glass , the occasional falling of a cinder , and the steady ticking of the clock . " Perhaps [I]468-my lady shall be always dreaming these sort of dreams , "[468-my lady] [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady thought , " until the terror of them kills [me]468-my lady ! "[468-my lady] The rain had ceased , and the cold spring sunshine was glittering upon the windows . [Lady Audley]150-lady audley dressed [herself]150-lady audley rapidly but carefully . [I]0-i do not say that even in [her]150-lady audley supremest hour of misery [she]150-lady audley still retained [her]150-lady audley pride in [her]150-lady audley beauty . It was not so ; [she]150-lady audley looked upon that beauty as a weapon , and [she]150-lady audley felt that [she]150-lady audley had now double need to be well armed . [She]150-lady audley dressed [herself]150-lady audley in [her]150-lady audley most gorgeous silk , a voluminous robe of silvery , shimmering blue , that made [her]150-lady audley look as if [she]150-lady audley had been arrayed in moonbeams . [She]150-lady audley shook out [her]150-lady audley hair into feathery showers of glittering gold , and , with a cloak of white cashmere about [her]150-lady audley shoulders , went down - stairs into [the vestibule]3508-the vestibule . [She]150-lady audley opened the door of [the library]5301-the library and looked in . [Sir Michael Audley]146-sir michael was asleep in [his]146-sir michael easy - chair . As [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady softly closed this door [Alicia]149-alicia descended the stairs from [[her]149-alicia own room]3819-her own room . The turret door was open , and the sun was shining upon the wet grass - plat in [the quadrangle]7021-the quadrangle . The firm gravel - walks were already very nearly dry , for the rain had ceased for upward of two hours . " Will [you]5225-her step - daughter take a walk with [me]150-lady audley in [the quadrangle]7021-the quadrangle ? "[150-lady audley] [Lady Audley]150-lady audley asked as [[her]150-lady audley step - daughter]5225-her step - daughter approached . The armed neutrality between [the two women]1218-the two women admitted of any chance civility such as this . " Yes , if [you]5225-her step - daughter please , [[my]149-alicia lady]468-my lady , "[149-alicia] [Alicia]149-alicia answered , rather listlessly . " [I]149-alicia have been yawning over a stupid novel all the morning , and shall be very glad of a little fresh air . "[149-alicia] Heaven help [the novelist whose fiction [Miss Audley]149-alicia had been perusing , if [he]3823-the novelist whose fiction miss audley had been perusing , if he had no better critics than that young lady had no better critics than [that young lady]3530-that young lady]3823-the novelist whose fiction miss audley had been perusing , if he had no better critics than that young lady . [She]150-lady audley had read page after page without knowing what [she]150-lady audley had been reading , and had flung aside the volume half a dozen times to go to the window and watch for [that visitor whom [she]150-lady audley had so confidently expected]3825-that visitor whom she had so confidently expected . [Lady Audley]150-lady audley led the way through the low doorway and on to [the smooth gravel drive]3826-the smooth gravel drive , by which [carriages]3827-carriages approached [the house]388-the house . [She]150-lady audley was still very pale , but the brightness of [her]150-lady audley dress and of [her]150-lady audley feathery golden ringlets , distracted [an observer]3829-an observer 's eyes from [her]150-lady audley pallid face . All mental distress is , with some show of reason , associated in [our]3830-our minds with loose , disordered garments and dishabilled hair , and an appearance in every way the reverse of [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady 's . Why had [she]150-lady audley come out into the chill sunshine of that March afternoon to wander up and down [that monotonous pathway]3832-that monotonous pathway with [the step - daughter [she]150-lady audley hated]3833-the step - daughter she hated ? [She]150-lady audley came because [she]150-lady audley was under the dominion of a horrible restlessness , which , would not suffer [her]150-lady audley to remain within [the house]388-the house waiting for certain tidings which [she]150-lady audley knew must too surely come . At first [she]150-lady audley had wished to ward them off — at first [she]150-lady audley had wished that strange convulsions of nature might arise to hinder [their]3835-their coming — that abnormal winter lightnings might wither and destroy the messenger who carried [them]3835-their — that the ground might tremble and yawn beneath [his]3836-his hastening feet , and that impassable gulfs might separate the spot from which the tidings were to come and the place to which [they]3835-their were to be carried . [She]150-lady audley wished that [the earth]5601-the earth might stand still , and the paralyzed elements cease from their natural functions , that the progress of time might stop , that the Day of Judgment might come , and that [she]150-lady audley might thus be brought before [an unearthly tribunal]3838-an unearthly tribunal , and so escape the intervening shame and misery of any earthly judgment . In the wild chaos of [her]150-lady audley brain , every one of these thoughts had held its place , and in [her]150-lady audley short slumber on the sofa in [[her]150-lady audley dressing - room]5211-her dressing - room [she]150-lady audley had dreamed all these things and a hundred other things , all bearing upon the same subject . [She]150-lady audley had dreamed that [a brook]3840-a brook , [a tiny streamlet]3841-a tiny streamlet when [she]150-lady audley first saw it , flowed across [the road between [Mount Stanning]222-mount stanning and [Audley]150-lady audley]3842-the road between mount stanning and audley , and gradually swelled into [a river]3843-a river , and from [a river]3843-a river became [an ocean]3845-an ocean , till [the village]5107-the village on [the hill]1906-the hill receded far away out of sight and only [a great waste of waters]3848-a great waste of waters rolled where it once had been . [She]150-lady audley dreamt that [she]150-lady audley saw [the messenger]3849-the messenger , now [one person]3850-one person , now another , but never [any probable person , hindered by a hundred hinderances , now startling and terrible , now ridiculous and trivial]3851-any probable person , hindered by a hundred hinderances , now startling and terrible , now ridiculous and trivial , but never either natural or probable ; and going down into [the quiet house]3852-the quiet house with the memory of these dreams strong upon [her]150-lady audley , [she]150-lady audley had been bewildered by the stillness which had betokened that the tidings had not yet come . And now [her]150-lady audley mind underwent a complete change . [She]150-lady audley no longer wished to delay the dreaded intelligence . [She]150-lady audley wished the agony , whatever it was to be , over and done with , the pain suffered , and the release attained . It seemed to [her]150-lady audley as if the intolerable day would never come to an end , as if [her]150-lady audley mad wishes had been granted , and the progress of time had actually stopped . " What a long day it has been ! "[149-alicia] exclaimed [Alicia]149-alicia , as if taking up the burden of [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady 's thoughts ; " nothing but drizzle and mist and wind ! And now that it 's too late for [anybody]706-anybody to go out , it must needs be fine , "[5100-the young lady] [the young lady]5100-the young lady added , with an evident sense of injury . [Lady Audley]150-lady audley did not answer . [She]150-lady audley was looking at the stupid one - handed clock , and waiting for the news which must come sooner or later , which could not surely fail to come very speedily . " [They]7597-they have been afraid to come and tell [him]7598-him , "[150-lady audley] [she]150-lady audley thought ; " [they]7597-they have been afraid to break the news to [Sir Michael]146-sir michael . Who will come to tell it , at last , [I]150-lady audley wonder ? [The rector of [Mount Stanning]222-mount stanning]7599-the rector of mount stanning , perhaps , or [the doctor]7600-the doctor ; [some important person]7601-some important person at least . "[150-lady audley] If [she]150-lady audley could have gone out into [the leafless avenues]3855-the leafless avenues , or onto [the high road beyond [them]3855-the leafless avenues]3856-the high road beyond them ; if [she]150-lady audley could have gone so far as [that hill upon which [she]150-lady audley had so lately parted with [Phoebe]166-phoebe]3857-that hill upon which she had so lately parted with phoebe , [she]150-lady audley would have gladly done so . [She]150-lady audley would rather have suffered anything than that slow suspense , that corroding anxiety , that metaphysical dryrot in which heart and mind seemed to decay under an insufferable torture . [She]150-lady audley tried to talk , and by a painful effort contrived now and then to utter some commonplace remark . Under any ordinary circumstances [[her]150-lady audley companion]788-her companion would have noticed [her]150-lady audley embarrassment , but [Miss Audley]149-alicia , happening to be very much absorbed by [her]149-alicia own vexations , was quite as well inclined to be silent as [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady [herself]149-alicia . The monotonous walk up and down [the graveled pathway]3860-the graveled pathway suited [Alicia]149-alicia 's humor . [I]0-i think that [she]150-lady audley even took a malicious pleasure in the idea that [she]150-lady audley was very likely catching cold , and that [[her]150-lady audley Cousin]790-her cousin [Robert]173-robert was answerable for [her]150-lady audley danger . If [she]150-lady audley could have brought upon [herself]150-lady audley inflammation of the lungs , or ruptured blood - vessels , by that exposure to the chill March atmosphere , [I]0-i think [she]150-lady audley would have felt a gloomy satisfaction in [her]150-lady audley sufferings . " Perhaps [Robert]173-robert might care for [me]150-lady audley , if [I]150-lady audley had inflammation of the lungs , "[150-lady audley] [she]150-lady audley thought . " [He]173-robert could n't insult [me]150-lady audley by calling [me]150-lady audley [a bouncer]7602-a bouncer then . [Bouncers]7603-bouncers do n't have inflammation of the lungs . "[150-lady audley] [I]0-i believe [she]150-lady audley drew a picture of [herself]150-lady audley in the last stage of consumption , propped up by pillows in a great easy - chair , looking out of a window in the afternoon sunshine , with medicine bottles , a bunch of grapes and a Bible upon a table by [her]150-lady audley side , and with [Robert]173-robert , all contrition and tenderness , summoned to receive [her]150-lady audley farewell blessing . [She]150-lady audley preached a whole chapter to [him]173-robert in that parting benediction , talking a great deal longer than was in keeping with [her]150-lady audley prostrate state , and very much enjoying [her]150-lady audley dismal castle in the air . Employed in this sentimental manner , [Miss Audley]149-alicia took very little notice of [[her]149-alicia step - mother]5119-her step - mother , and the one hand of the blundering clock had slipped to six by the time [Robert]173-robert had been blessed and dismissed . " Good gracious [me]150-lady audley ! "[150-lady audley] [she]150-lady audley cried , suddenly—"six o'clock , and [I]150-lady audley 'm not dressed . "[150-lady audley] The half - hour bell rung in a cupola upon the roof while [Alicia]149-alicia was speaking . " [I]150-lady audley must go in , [[my]150-lady audley lady]468-my lady , "[150-lady audley] [she]150-lady audley said . " Wo n't [you]150-lady audley come ? "[150-lady audley] " Presently , "[150-lady audley] answered [Lady Audley]150-lady audley . " [I]149-alicia 'm dressed , [you]150-lady audley see . "[149-alicia] [Alicia]149-alicia ran off , but [[Sir Michael]146-sir michael 's wife]6544-sir michael 's wife still lingered in [the quadrangle]7021-the quadrangle , still waited for those tidings which were so long coming . It was nearly dark . The blue mists of evening had slowly risen from the ground . [The flat meadows]1558-the flat meadows were filled with a gray vapor , and [a stranger]1506-a stranger might have fancied [Audley]150-lady audley Court [a castle on [the margin of a sea]3868-the margin of a sea]3867-a castle on the margin of a sea . Under the archway the shadows of fastcoming night lurked darkly , like traitors waiting for an opportunity to glide stealthily into [the quadrangle]7021-the quadrangle . Through the archway a patch of cold blue sky glimmered faintly , streaked by one line of lurid crimson , and lighted by the dim glitter of one wintry - looking star . Not a creature was stirring in [the quadrangle]7021-the quadrangle but [the restless woman who paced up and down [the straight pathways]3872-the straight pathways , listening for a footstep whose coming was to strike terror to [her]3871-the restless woman who paced up and down the straight pathways , listening for a footstep whose coming was to strike terror to her soul soul]3871-the restless woman who paced up and down the straight pathways , listening for a footstep whose coming was to strike terror to her soul . [She]3871-the restless woman who paced up and down the straight pathways , listening for a footstep whose coming was to strike terror to her soul heard it at last!—a footstep in [the avenue]754-the avenue upon the other side of [the archway]6494-the archway . But was it the footstep ? [Her]3871-the restless woman who paced up and down the straight pathways , listening for a footstep whose coming was to strike terror to her soul sense of hearing , made unnaturally acute by excitement , told [her]3871-the restless woman who paced up and down the straight pathways , listening for a footstep whose coming was to strike terror to her soul that it was [a man]445-a man 's footstep — told even more , that it was the tread of [a gentleman]4644-a gentleman , [no slouching , lumbering pedestrian in hobnailed boots]3877-no slouching , lumbering pedestrian in hobnailed boots , but [a gentleman who walked firmly and well . Every sound fell like a lump of ice]3878-a gentleman who walked firmly and well . every sound fell like a lump of ice upon [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady 's heart . [She]3871-the restless woman who paced up and down the straight pathways , listening for a footstep whose coming was to strike terror to her soul could not wait , [she]3871-the restless woman who paced up and down the straight pathways , listening for a footstep whose coming was to strike terror to her soul could not contain [herself]3871-the restless woman who paced up and down the straight pathways , listening for a footstep whose coming was to strike terror to her soul , [she]3871-the restless woman who paced up and down the straight pathways , listening for a footstep whose coming was to strike terror to her soul lost all self - control , all power of endurance , all capability of self - restraint , and [she]3871-the restless woman who paced up and down the straight pathways , listening for a footstep whose coming was to strike terror to her soul rushed toward the archway . [She]3871-the restless woman who paced up and down the straight pathways , listening for a footstep whose coming was to strike terror to her soul paused beneath its shadow , for [the stranger]4905-the stranger was close upon [her]3871-the restless woman who paced up and down the straight pathways , listening for a footstep whose coming was to strike terror to her soul . [She]3871-the restless woman who paced up and down the straight pathways , listening for a footstep whose coming was to strike terror to her soul saw [him]4905-the stranger , oh , God ! [she]3871-the restless woman who paced up and down the straight pathways , listening for a footstep whose coming was to strike terror to her soul saw [him]4905-the stranger in that dim evening light . [Her]3871-the restless woman who paced up and down the straight pathways , listening for a footstep whose coming was to strike terror to her soul brain reeled , [her]3871-the restless woman who paced up and down the straight pathways , listening for a footstep whose coming was to strike terror to her soul heart stopped beating . [She]3871-the restless woman who paced up and down the straight pathways , listening for a footstep whose coming was to strike terror to her soul uttered no cry of surprise , no exclamation of terror , but staggered backward and clung for support to the ivied buttress of the archway . With [her]3871-the restless woman who paced up and down the straight pathways , listening for a footstep whose coming was to strike terror to her soul slender figure crouched into the angle formed by the buttress and the wall which it supported , [she]3871-the restless woman who paced up and down the straight pathways , listening for a footstep whose coming was to strike terror to her soul stood staring at [the new - comer]3881-the new - comer . As [he]4905-the stranger approached [her]3871-the restless woman who paced up and down the straight pathways , listening for a footstep whose coming was to strike terror to her soul more closely [her]3871-the restless woman who paced up and down the straight pathways , listening for a footstep whose coming was to strike terror to her soul knees sunk under [her]3871-the restless woman who paced up and down the straight pathways , listening for a footstep whose coming was to strike terror to her soul , and [she]3871-the restless woman who paced up and down the straight pathways , listening for a footstep whose coming was to strike terror to her soul dropped to the ground , not fainting , or in any manner unconscious , but sinking into a crouching attitude , and still crushed into the angle of the wall , as if [she]3871-the restless woman who paced up and down the straight pathways , listening for a footstep whose coming was to strike terror to her soul would have made a tomb for [herself]3871-the restless woman who paced up and down the straight pathways , listening for a footstep whose coming was to strike terror to her soul in the shadow of that sheltering brickwork . " [[My]4906-the speaker lady]468-my lady ! "[4906-the speaker] [The speaker]4906-the speaker was [Robert Audley]173-robert . [He]173-robert whose bedroom door [she]3871-the restless woman who paced up and down the straight pathways , listening for a footstep whose coming was to strike terror to her soul had double - locked seventeen hours before at [the Castle Inn]54-the castle inn . " What is the matter with [you]3871-the restless woman who paced up and down the straight pathways , listening for a footstep whose coming was to strike terror to her soul ? "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said , in a strange , constrained manner . " Get up , and let [me]173-robert take [you]3871-the restless woman who paced up and down the straight pathways , listening for a footstep whose coming was to strike terror to her soul [indoors]7606-indoors . "[173-robert] [He]173-robert assisted [her]3871-the restless woman who paced up and down the straight pathways , listening for a footstep whose coming was to strike terror to her soul to rise , and [she]3871-the restless woman who paced up and down the straight pathways , listening for a footstep whose coming was to strike terror to her soul obeyed [him]173-robert very submissively . [He]173-robert took [her]3871-the restless woman who paced up and down the straight pathways , listening for a footstep whose coming was to strike terror to her soul arm in [his]173-robert strong hand and led [her]3871-the restless woman who paced up and down the straight pathways , listening for a footstep whose coming was to strike terror to her soul across [the quadrangle]7021-the quadrangle and into [the lamp - lit hall]3884-the lamp - lit hall . [She]3871-the restless woman who paced up and down the straight pathways , listening for a footstep whose coming was to strike terror to her soul shivered more violently than [he]173-robert had ever seen [any woman]3885-any woman shiver before , but [she]3871-the restless woman who paced up and down the straight pathways , listening for a footstep whose coming was to strike terror to her soul made no attempt at resistance to [his]173-robert will . " Is there [any room in which [I]3871-the restless woman who paced up and down the straight pathways , listening for a footstep whose coming was to strike terror to her soul can talk to [you]3871-the restless woman who paced up and down the straight pathways , listening for a footstep whose coming was to strike terror to her soul alone]7607-any room in which i can talk to you alone ? "[3871-the restless woman who paced up and down the straight pathways , listening for a footstep whose coming was to strike terror to her soul] [Robert Audley]173-robert asked , as [he]173-robert looked dubiously round [the hall]804-the hall . [[My]0-i lady]468-my lady only bowed [her]468-my lady head in answer . [She]3871-the restless woman who paced up and down the straight pathways , listening for a footstep whose coming was to strike terror to her soul pushed open the door of [the library]5301-the library , which had been left ajar . [Sir Michael]146-sir michael had gone to [[his]146-sir michael dressing - room]957-his dressing - room to prepare for dinner after a day of lazy enjoyment , perfectly legitimate for [an invalid]7309-an invalid . [The apartment]5327-the apartment was quite empty , only lighted by the blaze of the fire , as [it]5327-the apartment had been upon the previous evening . [Lady Audley]150-lady audley entered [the room]595-the room , followed by [Robert]173-robert , who closed the door behind [him]173-robert . [The wretched , shivering woman]3893-the wretched , shivering woman went to the fireplace and knelt down before the blaze , as if any natural warmth , could have power to check that unnatural chill . [The young man]667-the young man followed [her]3893-the wretched , shivering woman , and stood beside [her]3893-the wretched , shivering woman upon the hearth , with [his]667-the young man arm resting upon the chimney - piece . " [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , "[667-the young man] [he]667-the young man said , in a voice whose icy sternness held out no hope of any tenderness or compassion , " [I]667-the young man spoke to [you]150-lady audley last - night very plainly , but [you]150-lady audley refused to listen to [me]667-the young man . To - night [I]667-the young man must speak to [you]150-lady audley still more plainly , and [you]150-lady audley must no longer refuse to listen to [me]667-the young man . "[667-the young man] [[My]0-i lady]468-my lady , crouching before the fire with [her]468-my lady face hidden in [her]468-my lady hands , uttered a low , sobbing sound which was almost a moan , but made no other answer . " There was a fire last night at [Mount Stanning]69-mount stanning , [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , "[3896-i] the pitiless voice proceeded ; " [the Castle Inn]54-the castle inn , [the house in which [I]3896-i slept]7608-the house in which i slept , was burned to the ground . Do [you]667-the young man know how [I]3896-i escaped perishing in that destruction ? "[3896-i] " No . "[3896-i] " [I]3896-i escaped by a most providential circumstance which seems a very simple one . [I]3896-i did not sleep in [the room which had been prepared for [me]3896-i]7609-the room which had been prepared for me . [The place]385-the place seemed wretchedly damp and chilly , the chimney smoked abominably when an attempt was made at lighting a fire , and [I]3896-i persuaded [the servant]1203-the servant to make [me]3896-i up a bed on the sofa in [the small ground - floor sitting - room]7612-the small ground - floor sitting - room which [I]3896-i had occupied during the evening . "[3896-i] [He]3896-i paused for a moment , watching [the crouching figure]3897-the crouching figure . The only change in [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady 's attitude was that [her]468-my lady head had fallen a little lower . " Shall [I]468-my lady tell [you]468-my lady by whose agency the destruction of [the Castle Inn]1595-the castle inn was brought about , [[my]468-my lady lady]468-my lady ? "[468-my lady] There was no answer . " Shall [I]468-my lady tell [you]468-my lady ? "[468-my lady] Still the same obstinate silence . " [[My]173-robert Lady]468-my lady [Audley]150-lady audley , "[173-robert] cried [Robert]173-robert , suddenly , " [you]150-lady audley are [the incendiary]7616-the incendiary . It was [you]150-lady audley whose murderous hand kindled those flames . It was [you]150-lady audley who thought by that thrice - horrible deed to rid [yourself]150-lady audley of [me]173-robert , [[your]150-lady audley enemy]7617-your enemy and denouncer . What was it to [you]150-lady audley that other lives might be sacrificed ? If by a second massacre of [Saint Bartholomew]336-saint bartholomew [you]150-lady audley could have ridded [yourself]150-lady audley of [me]173-robert [you]150-lady audley would have sacrificed an army of [victims]7618-victims . The day is past for tenderness and mercy . For [you]150-lady audley [I]173-robert can no longer know pity or compunction . So far as by sparing [your]150-lady audley shame [I]173-robert can spare others who must suffer by [your]150-lady audley shame , [I]173-robert will be merciful , but no further . If there were any secret tribunal before which [you]150-lady audley might be made to answer for [your]150-lady audley crimes , [I]173-robert would have little scruple in being [[your]150-lady audley accuser]7619-your accuser , but [I]173-robert would spare [that generous and high - born gentleman upon whose noble name [your]150-lady audley infamy]7620-that generous and high - born gentleman upon whose noble name your infamy would be reflected . "[173-robert] [His]3899-i voice softened as [he]3899-i made this allusion , and for a moment [he]3899-i broke down , but [he]3899-i recovered [himself]3899-i by an effort and continued : " No life was lost in the fire of last night . [I]3899-i slept lightly , [[my]3899-i lady]468-my lady , for [my]3899-i mind was troubled , as it has been for a long time , by the misery which [I]3899-i knew was lowering upon [this house]6101-this house . It was [I]3899-i who discovered the breaking out of the fire in time to give the alarm and to save [the servant girl]2177-the servant girl and the poor drunken wretch , who was very much burnt in spite of efforts , and who now lies in a precarious state at [[[his]3899-i mother]533-his mother 's cottage]7625-his mother 's cottage . It was from [him]3899-i and from [[his]3899-i wife]554-his wife that [I]3899-i learned who had visited [the Castle Inn]1595-the castle inn in the dead of the night . [The woman]5008-the woman was almost distracted when [she]5008-the woman saw [me]3899-i , and from [her]5008-the woman [I]3899-i discovered the particulars of last night . Heaven knows what other secrets of [yours]468-my lady [she]5008-the woman may hold , [[my]3899-i lady]468-my lady , or how easily they might be extorted from [her]5008-the woman if [I]3899-i wanted [her]5008-the woman aid , which [I]3899-i do not . [My]3899-i path lies very straight before [me]3899-i . [I]3899-i have sworn to bring [the murderer of [George Talboys]181-george talboys]7630-the murderer of george talboys to justice , and [I]3899-i will keep [my]3899-i oath . [I]3899-i say that it was by [your]468-my lady agency [[my]3899-i friend]836-my friend met with [his]836-my friend death . If [I]3899-i have wondered sometimes , as it was only natural [I]3899-i should , whether [I]3899-i was not [the victim of some horrible hallucination]7632-the victim of some horrible hallucination , whether such an alternative was not more probable than that [a young and lovely woman]7633-a young and lovely woman should be capable of so foul and treacherous a murder , all wonder is past . After last night 's deed of horror , there is no crime [you]468-my lady could commit , however vast and unnatural , which could make [me]3899-i wonder . Henceforth [you]468-my lady must seem to [me]3899-i no longer [a woman]503-a woman , [a guilty woman with a heart which in its worst wickedness has yet some latent power to suffer and feel]7635-a guilty woman with a heart which in its worst wickedness has yet some latent power to suffer and feel ; [I]3899-i look upon [you]468-my lady henceforth as [the demoniac incarnation of some evil principle]7636-the demoniac incarnation of some evil principle . But [you]468-my lady shall no longer pollute [this place]5298-this place by [your]468-my lady presence . Unless [you]468-my lady will confess what [you]468-my lady are and who [you]468-my lady are in the presence of [the man [you]468-my lady have deceived so long]7638-the man you have deceived so long , and accept from [him]7638-the man you have deceived so long and from [me]3899-i such mercy as [we]7639-we may be inclined to extend to [you]468-my lady , [I]3899-i will gather together [the witnesses]7640-the witnesses who shall swear to [your]468-my lady identity , and at peril of any shame to [myself]3899-i and those [I]3899-i love , [I]3899-i will bring upon [you]468-my lady the just and awful punishment of [your]468-my lady crime . "[3899-i] [The woman]5008-the woman rose suddenly and stood before [him]3901-you erect and resolute , with [her]5008-the woman hair dashed away from [her]5008-the woman face and [her]5008-the woman eyes glittering . " Bring [Sir Michael]146-sir michael ! "[5008-the woman] [she]5008-the woman cried ; " bring [him]146-sir michael here , and [I]5008-the woman will confess anything — everything . What do [I]5008-the woman care ? [God]164-god knows [I]5008-the woman have struggled hard enough against [you]3901-you , and fought the battle patiently enough ; but [you]3901-you have conquered , [Mr. Robert Audley]173-robert . It is a great triumph , is it not — a wonderful victory ? [You]3901-you have used [your]3901-you cool , calculating , frigid , luminous intellect to a noble purpose . [You]3901-you have conquered — [a MAD WOMAN]7541-a mad woman ! "[5008-the woman] " [A mad woman]7541-a mad woman ! "[173-robert] cried [Mr. Audley]173-robert . " Yes , [a mad woman]7541-a mad woman . When [you]3901-you say that [I]173-robert killed [George Talboys]181-george talboys , [you]3901-you say the truth . When [you]3901-you say that [I]173-robert murdered [him]7644-him treacherously and foully , [you]3901-you lie . [I]173-robert killed [him]7644-him because [I]173-robert AM MAD ! because [my]173-robert intellect is a little way upon the wrong side of that narrow boundary - line between sanity and insanity ; because , when [George Talboys]181-george talboys goaded [me]173-robert , as [you]3901-you have goaded [me]173-robert , and reproached [me]173-robert , and threatened [me]173-robert , [my]173-robert mind , never properly balanced , utterly lost its balance , and [I]173-robert was mad ! Bring [Sir Michael]146-sir michael ; and bring [him]146-sir michael quickly . If [he]146-sir michael is to be told one thing let [him]146-sir michael be told everything ; let [him]146-sir michael hear the secret of [my]173-robert life ! "[173-robert] [Robert Audley]173-robert left [the room]595-the room to look for [[his]173-robert uncle]4872-his uncle . [He]173-robert went in search of [that honored kinsman]3904-that honored kinsman with [God]164-god knows how heavy a weight of anguish at [his]173-robert heart , for [he]173-robert knew [he]173-robert was about to shatter the day - dream of [[his]173-robert uncle]4872-his uncle 's life ; and [he]173-robert knew that [our]3906-our dreams are none the less terrible to lose , because they have never been the realities for which [we]3906-our have mistaken them . But even in the midst of [his]173-robert sorrow for [Sir Michael]146-sir michael , [he]173-robert could not help wondering at [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady 's last words—"the secret of [my]173-robert life . "[173-robert] [He]173-robert remembered those lines in the letter written by [Helen Talboys]179-helen talboys upon the eve of [her]179-helen talboys flight from [Wildernsea]97-wildernsea , which had so puzzled [him]173-robert . [He]173-robert remembered those appealing sentences—"You should forgive [me]173-robert , for [you]465-the baronet know why [I]173-robert have been so . [You]465-the baronet know the secret of [my]173-robert life . "[173-robert] [He]173-robert met [Sir Michael]146-sir michael in [the hall]804-the hall . [He]173-robert made no attempt to prepare the way for the terrible revelation which [the baronet]465-the baronet was to hear . [He]173-robert only drew [him]146-sir michael into [the fire - lit library]3910-the fire - lit library , and there for the first time addressed [him]146-sir michael quietly thus : " [Lady Audley]150-lady audley has a confession to make to [you]146-sir michael , [sir]900-sir — a confession which [I]667-the young man know will be a most cruel surprise , a most bitter grief . But it is necessary for [your]146-sir michael present honor , and for [your]146-sir michael future peace , that [you]146-sir michael should hear it . [She]150-lady audley has deceived [you]146-sir michael , [I]667-the young man regret to say , most basely ; but it is only right that [you]146-sir michael should hear from [her]150-lady audley own lips any excuses which [she]150-lady audley may have to offer for [her]150-lady audley wickedness . May [God]164-god soften this blow for [you]146-sir michael ! "[667-the young man] sobbed [the young man]667-the young man , suddenly breaking down ; " [I]667-the young man can not ! "[667-the young man] [Sir Michael]146-sir michael lifted [his]146-sir michael hand as if [he]146-sir michael would command [[his]146-sir michael nephew]5177-his nephew to be silent , but that imperious hand dropped feeble and impotent at [his]146-sir michael side . [He]146-sir michael stood in the center of [the fire - lit room]3913-the fire - lit room rigid and immovable . " [Lucy]197-lucy ! "[146-sir michael] [he]146-sir michael cried , in a voice whose anguish struck like a blow upon the jarred nerves of [those who heard it , as the cry of a wounded animal]3914-those who heard it , as the cry of a wounded animal pains [the listener—"Lucy]7646-the listener—"lucy , tell [me]146-sir michael that [this man]4719-this man is [a madman]3356-a madman ! tell [me]146-sir michael so , [[my]146-sir michael love]3254-my love , or [I]146-sir michael shall kill [him]4719-this man ! "[146-sir michael] There was a sudden fury in [his]146-sir michael voice as [he]146-sir michael turned upon [Robert]173-robert , as if [he]146-sir michael could indeed have felled [[[his]146-sir michael wife]554-his wife 's accuser]3916-his wife 's accuser to the earth with the strength of [his]146-sir michael uplifted arm . But [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady fell upon [her]468-my lady knees at [his]146-sir michael feet , interposing [herself]468-my lady between [the baronet]465-the baronet and [[his]465-the baronet nephew]5177-his nephew , who stood leaning on the back of an easy - chair , with [his]5177-his nephew face hidden by [his]5177-his nephew hand . " [He]146-sir michael has told [you]146-sir michael the truth , "[468-my lady] said [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , " and [he]146-sir michael is not mad ! [I]468-my lady have sent [him]146-sir michael for [you]146-sir michael that [I]468-my lady may confess everything to [you]146-sir michael . [I]468-my lady should be sorry for [you]146-sir michael if [I]468-my lady could , for [you]146-sir michael have been very , very good to [me]468-my lady , much better to [me]468-my lady than [I]468-my lady ever deserved ; but [I]468-my lady ca n't , [I]468-my lady can't — [I]468-my lady can feel nothing but [my]468-my lady own misery . [I]468-my lady told [you]146-sir michael long ago that [I]468-my lady was selfish ; [I]468-my lady am selfish still — more selfish than ever in [my]468-my lady misery . Happy , [prosperous people]7650-prosperous people may feel for [others]5097-others . [I]468-my lady laugh at [other people]1822-other people 's sufferings ; [they]1822-other people seem so small compared to [my]468-my lady own . "[468-my lady] When first [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady had fallen on [her]468-my lady knees , [Sir Michael]146-sir michael had attempted to raise [her]468-my lady , and had remonstrated with [her]468-my lady ; but as [she]468-my lady spoke [he]146-sir michael dropped into a chair close to the spot upon which [she]468-my lady knelt , and with [his]146-sir michael hands clasped together , and with [his]146-sir michael head bent to catch every syllable of those horrible words , [he]146-sir michael listened as if [his]146-sir michael whole being had been resolved into that one sense of hearing . " [I]468-my lady must tell [you]146-sir michael the story of [my]468-my lady life , in order to tell [you]146-sir michael why [I]468-my lady have become [the miserable wretch who has no better hope than to be allowed to run away and hide in [some desolate corner of [the earth]5601-the earth]7654-some desolate corner of the earth]7653-the miserable wretch who has no better hope than to be allowed to run away and hide in some desolate corner of the earth . [I]468-my lady must tell [you]146-sir michael the story of [my]468-my lady life , "[468-my lady] repeated [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , " but [you]146-sir michael need not fear that [I]468-my lady shall dwell long upon it . It has not been so pleasant to [me]468-my lady that [I]468-my lady should wish to remember it . When [I]468-my lady was [a very little child]7656-a very little child [I]468-my lady remember asking a question which it was natural enough that [I]468-my lady should ask , God help [me]468-my lady ! [I]468-my lady asked where [[my]468-my lady mother]4646-my mother was . [I]468-my lady had a faint remembrance of a face , like what [my]468-my lady own is now , looking at [me]468-my lady when [I]468-my lady was very little better than [a baby]4838-a baby ; but [I]468-my lady had missed the face suddenly , and had never seen it since . [They]7659-they told [me]468-my lady that [mother]7130-mother was away . [I]468-my lady was not happy , for [the woman who had charge of [me]468-my lady]7661-the woman who had charge of me was [a disagreeable woman]7662-a disagreeable woman and the place in which [we]7663-we lived was [a lonely place , [a village upon [the Hampshire coast]7666-the hampshire coast , about seven miles from [Portsmouth]30-portsmouth]7665-a village upon the hampshire coast , about seven miles from portsmouth]7664-a lonely place , a village upon the hampshire coast , about seven miles from portsmouth . [[My]468-my lady father , who was in [the navy]7668-the navy]7667-my father , who was in the navy , only came now and then to see [me]468-my lady ; and [I]468-my lady was left almost entirely to the charge of [this woman]557-this woman , who was irregularly paid , and who vented [her]557-this woman rage upon [me]468-my lady when [[my]468-my lady father]4643-my father was behindhand in remitting [her]557-this woman money . So [you]7671-you see that at a very early age [I]468-my lady found out what it was to be poor . "[468-my lady] Perhaps it was more from being discontented with [my]0-i dreary life than from any wonderful impulse of affection , that [I]0-i asked very often the same question about [[my]0-i mother]4646-my mother . [I]0-i always received the same answer — [she]4646-my mother was away . When [I]0-i asked where , [I]0-i was told that that was a secret . When [I]0-i grew old enough to understand the meaning of the word death , [I]0-i asked if [[my]0-i mother]4646-my mother was dead , and [I]0-i was told—'No , [she]4646-my mother was not dead ; [she]4646-my mother was ill , and [she]4646-my mother was away . ' [I]0-i asked how long [she]4646-my mother had been ill , and [I]0-i was told that [she]4646-my mother had been so some years , ever since [I]0-i was [a baby]4838-a baby . " At last the secret came out . [I]0-i worried [[my]0-i foster - mother]7672-my foster - mother with the old question one day when the remittances had fallen very much in arrear , and [her]4646-my mother temper had been unusually tried . [She]4646-my mother flew into a passion , and told [me]0-i that [[my]0-i mother]4646-my mother was [a mad woman]7541-a mad woman , and that [she]4646-my mother was in [a madhouse]7675-a madhouse forty miles away . [She]4646-my mother had scarcely said this when [she]4646-my mother repented , and told [me]0-i that it was not the truth , and that [I]0-i was not to believe it , or to say that [she]4646-my mother had told [me]0-i such a thing . [I]0-i discovered afterward that [[my]0-i father]4643-my father had made [her]4646-my mother promise most solemnly never to tell [me]0-i the secret of [[my]0-i mother]4646-my mother 's fate . "[0-i] [I]0-i brooded horribly upon the thought of [[my]0-i mother]4646-my mother 's madness . It haunted [me]0-i by day and night . [I]0-i was always picturing to [myself]0-i [this mad woman]3927-this mad woman pacing up and down [some prison cell]3928-some prison cell , in a hideous garment that bound [her]3927-this mad woman tortured limbs . [I]0-i had exaggerated ideas of the horror of [her]3927-this mad woman situation . [I]0-i had no knowledge of the different degrees of madness , and the image that haunted [me]0-i was that of [a distraught and violent creature , who would fall upon [me]0-i and kill [me]0-i if [I]0-i came within [her]3927-this mad woman reach]3929-a distraught and violent creature , who would fall upon me and kill me if i came within her reach . This idea grew upon [me]0-i until [I]0-i used to awake in the dead of night , screaming aloud in an agony of terror , from a dream in which [I]0-i had felt [[my]0-i mother]4646-my mother 's icy grasp upon [my]0-i throat , and heard [her]4646-my mother ravings in [my]0-i ear . " When [I]0-i was ten years old [[my]0-i father]4643-my father came to pay up the arrears due to [[my]0-i protectress]7679-my protectress , and to take [me]0-i to [school]6042-school . [He]4643-my father had left [me]0-i in [Hampshire]119-hampshire longer than [he]4643-my father had intended , from [his]4643-my father inability to pay this money ; so there again [I]0-i felt the bitterness of poverty , and ran the risk of growing up [an ignorant creature among [coarse rustic children]7682-coarse rustic children , because [[my]0-i father]4643-my father was poor]7681-an ignorant creature among coarse rustic children , because my father was poor . "[0-i] [[My]0-i lady]468-my lady paused for a moment , but only to take breath , for [she]468-my lady had spoken rapidly , as if eager to tell this hated story , and to have done with it . [She]468-my lady was still on [her]468-my lady knees , but [Sir Michael]146-sir michael made no effort to raise [her]468-my lady . [He]146-sir michael sat silent and immovable . What was this story that [he]146-sir michael was listening to ? Whose was it , and to what was it to lead ? It could not be [[his]146-sir michael wife]554-his wife 's ; [he]146-sir michael had heard [her]468-my lady simple account of [her]468-my lady youth , and had believed it as [he]146-sir michael had believed in the Gospel . [She]468-my lady had told [him]146-sir michael a very brief story of [an early orphanage]3933-an early orphanage , and a long , quiet , colorless youth spent in the conventional seclusion of [an English boarding - school]3934-an english boarding - school . " [[My]468-my lady father]4643-my father came at last , and [I]468-my lady told [him]4643-my father what [I]468-my lady had discovered . [He]4643-my father was very much affected when [I]468-my lady spoke of [[my]468-my lady mother]4646-my mother . [He]4643-my father was not what [the world]519-the world generally calls [a good man]7211-a good man , but [I]468-my lady learned afterward that [he]4643-my father had loved [[his]4643-my father wife]554-his wife very dearly , and that [he]4643-my father would have willingly sacrificed [his]4643-my father life to [her]4646-my mother , and constituted [himself]4643-my father [[her]4646-my mother guardian]7689-her guardian , had [he]4643-my father not been compelled to earn the daily bread of [the mad woman]7690-the mad woman and [[her]7690-the mad woman child]7691-her child by the exercise of [his]4643-my father profession . So here again [I]468-my lady beheld what a bitter thing it is to be poor . [[My]468-my lady mother , who might have been tended by [a devoted husband]7693-a devoted husband]7692-my mother , who might have been tended by a devoted husband , was given over to the care of [hired nurses]7694-hired nurses . "[468-my lady] Before [[my]0-i father]4643-my father sent [me]0-i to [[school]6042-school at [Torquay]75-torquay]3937-school at torquay , [he]4643-my father took [me]0-i to see [[my]0-i mother]4646-my mother . This visit served at least to dispel the idea which had so often terrified [me]0-i . [I]0-i saw [no raving , straight - waist - coated maniac]3939-no raving , straight - waist - coated maniac , guarded by [zealous jailers]3940-zealous jailers , but [a golden - haired , blue - eyed , girlish creature , who seemed as frivolous as a butterfly]3941-a golden - haired , blue - eyed , girlish creature , who seemed as frivolous as a butterfly , and who skipped toward [us]3942-us with [her]3941-a golden - haired , blue - eyed , girlish creature , who seemed as frivolous as a butterfly yellow curls decorated with natural flowers , and saluted [us]3942-us with radiant smiles , and gay , ceaseless chatter . " But [she]4646-my mother did n't know [us]3942-us . [She]4646-my mother would have spoken in the same manner to [any stranger who had entered the gates of [the garden]452-the garden about [[her]4646-my mother prison - house]7697-her prison - house]7695-any stranger who had entered the gates of the garden about her prison - house . [Her]4646-my mother madness was an hereditary disease transmitted to [her]4646-my mother from [[her]4646-my mother mother]891-her mother , who had died mad . [She]4646-my mother , [[my]0-i mother]4646-my mother , had been , or had appeared sane up to the hour of [my]0-i birth , but from that hour [her]4646-my mother intellect had decayed , and [she]4646-my mother had become what [I]0-i saw [her]4646-my mother . "[0-i] [I]0-i went away with the knowledge of this , and with the knowledge that the only inheritance [I]0-i had to expect from [[my]0-i mother]4646-my mother was — insanity ! " [I]0-i went away with this knowledge in [my]0-i mind , and with something more — a secret to keep . [I]0-i was [a child of ten years only]7700-a child of ten years only , but [I]0-i felt all the weight of that burden . [I]0-i was to keep the secret of [[my]0-i mother]4646-my mother 's madness ; for it was a secret that might affect [me]0-i injuriously in after - life . [I]0-i was to remember this . "[0-i] [I]0-i did remember this ; and it was , perhaps , this that made [me]0-i selfish and heartless , for [I]0-i suppose [I]0-i am heartless . As [I]0-i grew older [I]0-i was told that [I]0-i was pretty — beautiful — lovely — bewitching . [I]0-i heard all these things at first indifferently , but by - and - by [I]0-i listened to them greedily , and began to think that in spite of the secret of [my]0-i life [I]0-i might be more successful in [the world]519-the world 's great lottery than [[my]0-i companions]3945-my companions . [I]0-i had learnt that which in some indefinite manner or other [every school - girl]3946-every school - girl learns sooner or later — [I]0-i learned that [my]0-i ultimate fate in life depended upon [my]0-i marriage , and [I]0-i concluded that if [I]0-i was indeed prettier than [[my]0-i schoolfellows]3947-my schoolfellows , [I]0-i ought to marry better than [any one of [them]3947-my schoolfellows]3948-any one of them . " [I]0-i left [school]6042-school before [I]0-i was seventeen years of age , with this thought in [my]0-i mind , and [I]0-i went to live at [the other extremity of [England]7-england]7703-the other extremity of england with [[my]0-i father]4643-my father , who had retired upon [his]4643-my father half - pay , and had established [himself]4643-my father at [Wildernsea]97-wildernsea , with the idea that [the place]385-the place was cheap and select . "[0-i] [The place]385-the place was indeed select . [I]0-i had not been [there]374-there a month before [I]0-i discovered that [even the prettiest girl]3951-even the prettiest girl might wait a long time for [a rich husband]3952-a rich husband . [I]0-i wish to hurry over this part of [my]0-i life . [I]0-i dare say [I]0-i was very despicable . [You]3953-she and [[your]3953-she nephew]5819-your nephew , [Sir Michael]146-sir michael , have been rich all [your]3953-she lives , and can very well afford to despise [me]0-i ; but [I]0-i knew how far poverty can affect a life , and [I]0-i looked forward with a sickening dread to a life so affected . At last [the rich suitor]3955-the rich suitor , [the wandering prince]3956-the wandering prince came . " [She]3953-she paused for a moment , and shuddered convulsively . It was impossible to see any of the changes in [her]3953-she countenance , for [her]3953-she face was obstinately bent toward the floor . Throughout [her]3953-she long confession [she]3953-she never lifted it ; throughout [her]3953-she long confession [her]3953-she voice was never broken by a tear . What [she]3953-she had to tell [she]3953-she told in a cold , hard tone , very much the tone in which [some criminal , dogged and sullen to the last]7706-some criminal , dogged and sullen to the last , might have confessed to [a jail chaplain]7707-a jail chaplain . "[3956-the wandering prince] [The wandering prince]3956-the wandering prince came , " [she]3953-she repeated ; "[3956-the wandering prince] [he]3956-the wandering prince was called [George Talboys]181-george talboys . " For the first time since [[his]157-george wife]554-his wife 's confession had begun , [Sir Michael Audley]146-sir michael started . [He]157-george began to understand it all now . A crowd of unheeded words and forgotten circumstances that had seemed too insignificant for remark or recollection , flashed back upon [him]157-george as vividly as if they had been the leading incidents of [his]157-george past life . "[3956-the wandering prince] [Mr. George Talboys]157-george was [a cornet in a dragoon regiment]3958-a cornet in a dragoon regiment . [He]157-george was [the only son of [a rich country gentleman]3960-a rich country gentleman]3959-the only son of a rich country gentleman . [He]157-george fell in love with [me]0-i , and married [me]0-i three months after [my]0-i seventeenth birthday . [I]0-i think [I]0-i loved [him]157-george as much as it was in [my]0-i power to love [anybody]706-anybody ; not more than [I]0-i have loved [you]3962-you , [Sir Michael]146-sir michael — not so much , for when [you]3962-you married [me]0-i [you]3962-you elevated [me]0-i to a position that [he]157-george could never have given [me]0-i . " The dream was broken . [Sir Michael Audley]146-sir michael remembered that summer 's evening , nearly two years ago , when [he]146-sir michael had first declared [his]146-sir michael love for [[Mr. Dawson]151-mr. dawson 's governess]551-mr. dawson 's governess ; [he]146-sir michael remembered the sick , half - shuddering sensation of regret and disappointment that had come over [him]146-sir michael then , and [he]146-sir michael felt as if it had in some manner dimly foreshadowed the agony of to - night . But [I]3962-you do not believe that even in [his]146-sir michael misery [he]146-sir michael felt that entire and unmitigated surprise , that utter revulsion of feeling that is felt when [a good woman]7710-a good woman wanders away from [herself]7710-a good woman and becomes [the lost creature whom [[her]7710-a good woman husband]469-her husband is bound in honor to abjure]7711-the lost creature whom her husband is bound in honor to abjure . [I]3962-you do not believe that [Sir Michael Audley]146-sir michael had ever really believed in [[his]146-sir michael wife]554-his wife . [He]146-sir michael had loved [her]554-his wife and admired [her]554-his wife ; [he]146-sir michael had been bewitched by [her]554-his wife beauty and bewildered by [her]554-his wife charms ; but that sense of something wanting , that vague feeling of loss and disappointment which had come upon [him]146-sir michael on the summer 's night of [his]146-sir michael betrothal had been with [him]146-sir michael more or less distinctly ever since . [I]3962-you can not believe that [an honest man]7714-an honest man , however pure and single may be [his]7714-an honest man mind , however simply trustful [his]7714-an honest man nature , is ever really deceived by falsehood . There is beneath the voluntary confidence an involuntary distrust , not to be conquered by any effort of the will . "[3962-you] [We]3963-we were married , " [[my]3962-you lady]468-my lady continued , "[3962-you] and [I]0-i loved [him]3964-him very well , quite well enough to be happy with [him]3964-him as long as [his]3964-him money lasted , and while [we]3963-we were on [the Continent]4783-the continent , traveling in the best style and always staying at [the best hotels]3966-the best hotels . But when [we]3963-we came back to [Wildernsea]97-wildernsea and lived with [papa]1002-papa , and all the money was gone , and [George]157-george grew gloomy and wretched , and was always thinking of [his]157-george troubles , and appeared to neglect [me]0-i , [I]0-i was very unhappy , and it seemed as if this fine marriage had only given [me]0-i a twelvemonth 's gayety and extravagance after all . [I]0-i begged [George]157-george to appeal to [[his]157-george father]709-his father , but [he]709-his father refused . [I]0-i persuaded [him]3964-him to try and get employment , and [he]3964-him failed . [[My]0-i baby]3969-my baby was born , and the crisis which had been fatal to [[my]0-i mother]4646-my mother arose for [me]0-i . [I]0-i escaped , but [I]0-i was more irritable perhaps after [my]0-i recovery , less inclined to fight the hard battle of [the world]519-the world , more disposed to complain of poverty and neglect . [I]0-i did complain one day , loudly and bitterly ; [I]0-i upbraided [George Talboys]157-george for [his]157-george cruelty in having allied [a helpless girl]3972-a helpless girl to poverty and misery , and [he]157-george flew into a passion with [me]0-i and ran out of [the house]388-the house . When [I]0-i awoke the next morning , [I]0-i found a letter lying on the table by [my]0-i bed , telling [me]0-i that [he]157-george was going to [the antipodes]1438-the antipodes to seek [his]157-george fortune , and that [he]157-george would never see [me]0-i again until [he]157-george was [a rich man]570-a rich man . " [I]157-george looked upon this as a desertion , and [I]157-george resented it bitterly — resented it by hating [the man who had left [me]157-george with [no protector]7717-no protector but [a weak , tipsy father]7718-a weak , tipsy father , and with [a child to support]7719-a child to support]7716-the man who had left me with no protector but a weak , tipsy father , and with a child to support . [I]157-george had to work hard for [my]157-george living , and in every hour of labor — and what labor is more wearisome than the dull slavery of [a governess?—I]7720-a governess?—i recognized a separate wrong done [me]157-george by [George Talboys]157-george . [[His]7719-a child to support father]709-his father was rich , [[his]157-george sister]6265-his sister was living in luxury and respectability , and [I]157-george , [[his]157-george wife]554-his wife , and [the mother of [[his]157-george son]4957-his son]7724-the mother of his son , was [a slave allied to beggary and obscurity]7726-a slave allied to beggary and obscurity . [People]572-people pitied [me]157-george , and [I]157-george hated [them]572-people for [their]572-people pity . [I]157-george did not love [the child]5037-the child , for [he]5037-the child had been left a burden upon [my]157-george hands . The hereditary taint that was in [my]157-george blood had never until this time showed itself by any one sign or token ; but at this time [I]157-george became subject to fits of violence and despair . At this time [I]157-george think [my]157-george mind first lost its balance , and for the first time [I]157-george crossed that invisible line which separates reason from madness . [I]157-george have seen [[my]157-george father]4643-my father 's eyes fixed upon [me]157-george in horror and alarm . [I]157-george have known [him]4643-my father soothe [me]157-george as only [mad people]3336-mad people and [children]5631-children are soothed , and [I]157-george have chafed against [his]4643-my father petty devices , [I]157-george have resented even [his]4643-my father indulgence . "[157-george] At last these fits of desperation resolved themselves into a desperate purpose . [I]0-i determined to run away from [this wretched home which [my]0-i slavery supported]3976-this wretched home which my slavery supported . [I]0-i determined to desert [this father who had more fear of [me]0-i than love for [me]0-i]3977-this father who had more fear of me than love for me . [I]0-i determined to go to [London]3-london and lose [myself]0-i in that great chaos of humanity . " [I]0-i had seen an advertisement in the Times while [I]0-i was at [Wildernsea]97-wildernsea , and [I]0-i presented [myself]0-i to [Mrs. Vincent]192-mrs. vincent , [the advertiser]7732-the advertiser , under a feigned name . [She]192-mrs. vincent accepted [me]0-i , waiving all questions as to [my]0-i antecedents . [You]7733-you know the rest . [I]0-i came [here]4776-here , and [you]7733-you made [me]0-i an offer , the acceptance of which would lift [me]0-i at once into the sphere to which [my]0-i ambition had pointed ever since [I]0-i was [a school - girl]7735-a school - girl , and heard for the first time that [I]0-i was pretty . "[0-i] Three years had passed , and [I]0-i had received no token of [[my]0-i husband]3083-my husband 's existence ; for , [I]0-i argued , that if [he]3083-my husband had returned to [England]7-england , [he]3083-my husband would have succeeded in finding [me]0-i under any name and in any place . [I]0-i knew the energy of [his]3083-my husband character well enough to know this . " [I]0-i said ' [I]0-i have a right to think that [he]3083-my husband is dead , or that [he]3083-my husband wishes [me]0-i to believe [him]3083-my husband dead , and [his]3083-my husband shadow shall not stand between [me]0-i and prosperity . ' [I]0-i said this , and [I]0-i became [[your]3083-my husband wife]4675-your wife , [Sir Michael]146-sir michael , with every resolution to be as good [a wife]7737-a wife as it was in [my]0-i nature to be . The common temptations that assail and shipwreck [some women]5705-some women had no terror for [me]0-i . [I]0-i would have been [[your]3083-my husband true and pure wife]7739-your true and pure wife to the end of time , though [I]0-i had been surrounded by [a legion of tempters]7740-a legion of tempters . The mad folly that [the world]519-the world calls love had never had any part in [my]0-i madness , and here at least extremes met , and the vice of heartlessness became the virtue of constancy . "[0-i] [I]0-i was very happy in the first triumph and grandeur of [my]0-i new position , very grateful to the hand that had lifted [me]0-i to it . In the sunshine of [my]0-i own happiness [I]0-i felt , for the first time in [my]0-i life , for the miseries of [others]5097-others . [I]0-i had been poor [myself]0-i , and [I]0-i was now rich , and could afford to pity and relieve the poverty of [[my]0-i neighbors]3980-my neighbors . [I]0-i took pleasure in acts of kindness and benevolence . [I]0-i found out [[my]0-i father]4643-my father 's address and sent [him]4643-my father large sums of money , anonymously , for [I]0-i did not wish [him]4643-my father to discover what had become of [me]0-i . [I]0-i availed [myself]0-i to the full of the privilege [your]3982-your generosity afforded [me]0-i . [I]0-i dispensed happiness on every side . [I]0-i saw [myself]0-i loved as well as admired , and [I]0-i think [I]0-i might have been [a good woman]7710-a good woman for the rest of [my]0-i life , if fate would have allowed [me]0-i to be so . " [I]337-fate believe that at this time [my]337-fate mind regained its just balance . [I]337-fate had watched [myself]337-fate very closely since leaving [Wildernsea]97-wildernsea ; [I]337-fate had held a check upon [myself]337-fate . [I]337-fate had often wondered while sitting in [[the surgeon]508-the surgeon 's quiet family circle]7743-the surgeon 's quiet family circle whether any suspicion of that invisible , hereditary taint had ever occurred to [Mr. Dawson]151-mr. dawson . "[337-fate] [Fate]337-fate would not suffer [me]0-i to be good . [My]0-i destiny compelled [me]0-i to be [a wretch]3984-a wretch . Within a month of [my]0-i marriage , [I]0-i read in one of the Essex papers of the return of [a certain [Mr. Talboys]157-george , [a fortunate gold - seeker]3986-a fortunate gold - seeker , from [Australia]11-australia]3985-a certain mr. talboys , a fortunate gold - seeker , from australia . [The ship]3987-the ship had sailed at the time [I]0-i read the paragraph . What was to be done ? " [I]3988-i said just now that [I]3988-i knew the energy of [George]157-george 's character . [I]3988-i knew that [the man who had gone to the antipodes and won a fortune for [[his]3988-i wife]554-his wife]7744-the man who had gone to the antipodes and won a fortune for his wife would leave no stone unturned in [his]3988-i efforts to find [her]554-his wife . It was hopeless to think of hiding [myself]3988-i from [him]3988-i . "[3988-i] Unless [he]3988-i could be induced to believe that [I]0-i was dead , [he]3988-i would never cease in [his]3988-i search for [me]0-i . " [My]0-i brain was dazed as [I]0-i thought of [my]0-i peril . Again the balance trembled , again the invisible boundary was passed , again [I]0-i was mad . "[0-i] [I]0-i went down to [Southampton]33-southampton and found [[my]0-i father]4643-my father , who was living [there]374-there with [[my]0-i child]3991-my child . [You]3992-you remember how [Mrs. Vincent]192-mrs. vincent 's name was used as an excuse for this hurried journey , and how it was contrived [I]0-i should go with no other escort than [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe , whom [I]0-i left at [the hotel]4975-the hotel while [I]0-i went to [[[my]0-i father]4643-my father 's house]3995-my father 's house . " [I]4643-my father confided to [[my]4643-my father father]4643-my father the whole secret of [my]4643-my father peril . [He]4643-my father was not very much shocked at what [I]4643-my father had done , for poverty had perhaps blunted [his]4643-my father sense of honor and principle . [He]4643-my father was not very much shocked , but [he]4643-my father was frightened , and [he]4643-my father promised to do all in [his]4643-my father power to assist [me]4643-my father in [my]4643-my father horrible emergency . "[4643-my father] [He]4643-my father had received a letter addressed to [me]0-i at [Wildernsea]97-wildernsea , by [George]157-george , and forwarded from there to [[my]0-i father]4643-my father . This letter had been written within a few days of the sailing of [the Argus]618-the argus , and it announced the probable date of [the ship]3987-the ship 's arrival at [Liverpool]6-liverpool . This letter gave [us]3999-we , therefore , data upon which to act . " [We]3999-we decided at once upon the first step . This was that on the date of the probable arrival of [the Argus]618-the argus , or a few days later , an advertisement of [my]4643-my father death should be inserted in the Times . "[4643-my father] But almost immediately after deciding upon this , [we]3999-we saw that there were fearful difficulties in the carrying out of such a simple plan . The date of the death , and the place in which [I]0-i died , must be announced , as well as the death itself . [George]157-george would immediately hurry to [that place]7539-that place , however distant [it]7539-that place might be , however comparatively inaccessible , and the shallow falsehood would be discovered . " [I]0-i knew enough of [his]4643-my father sanguine temperament , [his]4643-my father courage and determination , [his]4643-my father readiness to hope against hope , to know that unless [he]4643-my father saw [the grave in which [I]0-i was buried]7748-the grave in which i was buried , and the register of [my]0-i death , [he]4643-my father would never believe that [I]0-i was lost to [him]4643-my father . "[0-i] [[My]0-i father]4643-my father was utterly dumfounded and helpless . [He]4643-my father could only shed childish tears of despair and terror . [He]4643-my father was of no use to [me]0-i in this crisis . " [I]0-i was hopeless of any issue out of [my]0-i difficulties . [I]0-i began to think that [I]0-i must trust to the chapter of accidents , and hope that among other obscure corners of [the earth]5601-the earth , [Audley Court]1-audley court might be undreamt of by [[my]0-i husband]3083-my husband . "[0-i] [I]0-i sat with [[my]0-i father]4643-my father , drinking tea with [him]4643-my father in [[his]4643-my father miserable hovel]4003-his miserable hovel , and playing with [the child]5037-the child , who was pleased with [my]0-i dress and jewels , but quite unconscious that [I]0-i was anything but [a stranger to [him]4643-my father]4005-a stranger to him . [I]0-i had [the boy]5049-the boy in [my]0-i arms , when [a woman who attended [him]5049-the boy]4007-a woman who attended him came to fetch [him]5049-the boy that [she]4007-a woman who attended him might make [him]5049-the boy more fit to be seen by [the lady]673-the lady , as [she]4007-a woman who attended him said . " [I]673-the lady was anxious to know how [the boy]5049-the boy was treated , and [I]673-the lady detained [this woman]557-this woman in conversation with [me]673-the lady while [[my]673-the lady father]4643-my father dozed over the tea - table . "[673-the lady] [She]673-the lady was [a pale - faced , sandy - haired woman of about five - and - forty]4009-a pale - faced , sandy - haired woman of about five - and - forty and [she]673-the lady seemed very glad to get the chance of talking to [me]0-i as long as [I]0-i pleased to allow [her]673-the lady . [She]673-the lady soon left off talking of [the boy]5049-the boy , however , to tell [me]0-i of [her]673-the lady own troubles . [She]673-the lady was in very great trouble , [she]673-the lady told [me]0-i . [[Her]673-the lady eldest daughter]4011-her eldest daughter had been obliged to leave [her]4011-her eldest daughter situation from ill - health ; in fact , [the doctor]7600-the doctor said [the girl]753-the girl was in a decline ; and it was a hard thing for [a poor widow]4014-a poor widow who had seen better days to have [a sick daughter to support]4015-a sick daughter to support , as well as [a family of young children]4016-a family of young children . " [I]0-i let [the woman]5008-the woman run on for a long time in this manner , telling [me]0-i [the girl]753-the girl 's ailments , and [the girl]753-the girl 's age , and [[the girl]753-the girl 's [doctor]7759-doctor]7758-the girl 's doctor 's stuff , and piety , and sufferings , and a great deal more . But [I]0-i neither listened to [her]5008-the woman nor heeded [her]5008-the woman . [I]0-i heard [her]5008-the woman , but only in a far - away manner , as [I]0-i heard the traffic in [the street]4740-the street , or the ripple of the stream at the bottom of it . What were [this woman]557-this woman 's troubles to [me]0-i ? [I]0-i had miseries of [my]0-i own , and worse miseries than [her]557-this woman coarse nature could ever have to endure . [These sort of people]7762-these sort of people always had [sick husbands]7763-sick husbands or [sick children]7764-sick children , and expected to be helped in [their]7762-these sort of people illness by [the rich]7765-the rich . It was nothing out of the common . [I]0-i was thinking this , and [I]0-i was just going to dismiss [the woman]5008-the woman with a sovereign for [[her]5008-the woman sick daughter]7767-her sick daughter , when an idea flashed upon [me]0-i with such painful suddenness that it sent the blood surging up to [my]0-i brain , and set [my]0-i heart beating , as it only beats when [I]0-i am mad . "[0-i] [I]0-i asked [the woman]5008-the woman [her]5008-the woman name . [She]5008-the woman was [a Mrs. Plowson]241-mrs. plowson , and [she]5008-the woman kept [a small general shop]4018-a small general shop , [she]5008-the woman said , and only ran in now and then to look after [Georgey]187-georgey , and to see that [the little maid - of - all - work]4019-the little maid - of - all - work took care of [him]187-georgey . [[Her]5008-the woman daughter]4020-her daughter 's name was [Matilda]244-matilda . [I]0-i asked [her]5008-the woman several questions about [this girl]2487-this girl [Matilda]244-matilda , and [I]0-i ascertained that [she]2487-this girl was four - and - twenty , that [she]2487-this girl had always been consumptive , and that [she]2487-this girl was now , as [the doctor]7600-the doctor said , going off in a rapid decline . [He]7600-the doctor had declared that [she]2487-this girl could not last much more than a fortnight . " It was in three weeks that [the ship]3987-the ship that carried [George Talboys]157-george was expected to anchor in [the Mersey]8-the mersey . "[7600-the doctor] [I]0-i need not dwell upon this business . [I]0-i visited [the sick girl]4023-the sick girl . [She]4023-the sick girl was fair and slender . [Her]4023-the sick girl description , carelessly given , might tally nearly enough with [my]0-i own , though [she]4023-the sick girl bore no shadow of resemblance to [me]0-i , except in these two particulars . [I]0-i was received by [the girl]753-the girl as [a rich lady who wished to do [her]753-the girl a service]4025-a rich lady who wished to do her a service . [I]0-i bought [the mother]4026-the mother , who was poor and greedy , and who for a gift of money , more money than [she]4026-the mother had ever before received , consented to submit to anything [I]0-i wished . Upon the second day after [my]0-i introduction to [this Mrs. Plowson]241-mrs. plowson , [[my]0-i father]4643-my father went over to [Ventnor]26-ventnor , and hired lodgings for [[his]4643-my father invalid daughter]4028-his invalid daughter and [[her]4028-his invalid daughter little boy]889-her little boy . Early the next morning [he]4643-my father carried over [the dying girl]4030-the dying girl and [Georgey]187-georgey , who had been bribed to call [her]4030-the dying girl ' [mamma]5519-mamma . ' [She]4030-the dying girl entered [the house]388-the house as [Mrs. Talboys]181-george talboys ; [she]4030-the dying girl was attended by [a Ventnor medical man]4033-a ventnor medical man as [Mrs. Talboys]181-george talboys ; [she]4030-the dying girl died , and [her]4030-the dying girl death and burial were registered in that name . " The advertisement was inserted in the Times , and upon the second day after its insertion [George Talboys]181-george talboys visited [Ventnor]26-ventnor , and ordered the tombstone which at this hour records the death of [[his]4643-my father wife]554-his wife , [Helen Talboys]179-helen talboys . "[146-sir michael] [Sir Michael Audley]146-sir michael rose slowly , and with a stiff , constrained action , as if every physical sense had been benumbed by that one sense of misery . " [I]146-sir michael can not hear any more , "[146-sir michael] [he]146-sir michael said , in a hoarse whisper ; " if there is anything more to be told [I]146-sir michael can not hear it . [Robert]173-robert , it is [you]173-robert who have brought about this discovery , as [I]146-sir michael understand . [I]146-sir michael want to know nothing more . Will [you]173-robert take upon [yourself]173-robert the duty of providing for the safety and comfort of [this lady whom [I]146-sir michael have thought [[my]146-sir michael wife]711-my wife]7770-this lady whom i have thought my wife ? [I]146-sir michael need not ask [you]173-robert to remember in all [you]173-robert do , that [I]146-sir michael have loved [her]7770-this lady whom i have thought my wife very dearly and truly . [I]146-sir michael can not say farewell to [her]7770-this lady whom i have thought my wife . [I]146-sir michael will not say it until [I]146-sir michael can think of [her]7770-this lady whom i have thought my wife without bitterness — until [I]146-sir michael can pity [her]7770-this lady whom i have thought my wife , as [I]146-sir michael now pray that [God]164-god may pity [her]7770-this lady whom i have thought my wife this night . "[146-sir michael] [Sir Michael]146-sir michael walked slowly from [the room]595-the room . [He]146-sir michael did not trust [himself]146-sir michael to look at [that crouching figure]4035-that crouching figure . [He]146-sir michael did not wish to see the creature whom [he]146-sir michael had cherished . [He]146-sir michael went straight to [[his]146-sir michael dressing - room]957-his dressing - room , rung for [[his]146-sir michael valet]4037-his valet , and ordered [him]4037-his valet to pack a portmanteau , and make all necessary arrangements for accompanying [[his]146-sir michael master]2445-his master by [the last up - train]4039-the last up - train . [Robert Audley]173-robert followed [[his]173-robert uncle]4872-his uncle into [the vestibule]3508-the vestibule after [Sir Michael]146-sir michael had spoken those few quiet words which sounded the death - knell of [his]146-sir michael hope and love . [Heaven]201-heaven knows how much [the young man]667-the young man had feared the coming of this day . It had come ; and though there had been no great outburst of despair , no whirlwind of stormy grief , no loud tempest of anguish and tears , [Robert]173-robert took no comforting thought from the unnatural stillness . [He]173-robert knew enough to know that [Sir Michael Audley]146-sir michael went away with the barbed arrow , which [[his]146-sir michael nephew]5177-his nephew 's hand had sent home to its aim , rankling in [his]146-sir michael tortured heart ; [he]173-robert knew that this strange and icy calm was the first numbness of a heart stricken by grief so unexpected as for a time to be rendered almost incomprehensible by a blank stupor of astonishment ; [he]173-robert knew that when this dull quiet had passed away , when little by little , and one by one , each horrible feature of [the sufferer]3711-the sufferer 's sorrow became first dimly apparent and then terribly familiar to [him]173-robert , the storm would burst in fatal fury , and tempests of tears and cruel thunder - claps of agony would rend that generous heart . [Robert]173-robert had heard of cases in which [men of [[his]173-robert uncle]4872-his uncle 's age]4045-men of his uncle 's age had borne some great grief , as [Sir Michael]146-sir michael had borne this , with a strange quiet ; and had gone away from [those who would have comforted [them]4045-men of his uncle 's age , and [whose anxieties have been relieved by this patient stillness]4048-whose anxieties have been relieved by this patient stillness , to fall down upon the ground and die under the blow which at first had only stunned [him]173-robert]4047-those who would have comforted them , and whose anxieties have been relieved by this patient stillness , to fall down upon the ground and die under the blow which at first had only stunned him . [He]173-robert remembered cases in which paralysis and apoplexy had stricken [men]4634-men as strong as [[his]173-robert uncle]4872-his uncle in the first hour of the horrible affliction ; and [he]173-robert lingered in [the lamp - lit vestibule]4051-the lamp - lit vestibule , wondering whether it was not [his]173-robert duty to be with [Sir Michael]146-sir michael — to be near [him]146-sir michael , in case of any emergency , and to accompany [him]146-sir michael wherever [he]146-sir michael went . Yet would it be wise to force [himself]173-robert upon [that gray - headed sufferer]4052-that gray - headed sufferer in this cruel hour , in which [he]173-robert had been awakened from the one delusion of a blameless life to discover that [he]173-robert had been [the dupe of a false face]4053-the dupe of a false face , and the fool of a nature which was too coldly mercenary , too cruelly heartless , to be sensible of its own infamy ? " No , "[173-robert] thought [Robert Audley]173-robert , " [I]173-robert will not intrude upon the anguish of this wounded heart . There is humiliation mingled with this bitter grief . It is better [he]146-sir michael should fight the battle alone . [I]173-robert have done what [I]173-robert believe to have been [my]173-robert solemn duty , yet [I]173-robert should scarcely wonder if [I]173-robert had rendered [myself]173-robert forever hateful to [him]146-sir michael . It is better [he]146-sir michael should fight the battle alone . [I]173-robert can do nothing to make the strife less terrible . Better that it should be fought alone . "[173-robert] While [the young man]667-the young man stood with [his]667-the young man hand upon the library door , still half - doubtful whether [he]667-the young man should follow [[his]667-the young man uncle]4872-his uncle or re - enter [the room in which [he]667-the young man had left]4056-the room in which he had left [that more wretched creature whom it had been [his]667-the young man business to unmask , [Alicia Audley]149-alicia]4057-that more wretched creature whom it had been his business to unmask , alicia audley opened the dining - room door , and revealed to [him]667-the young man [the old - fashioned oak - paneled apartment]4058-the old - fashioned oak - paneled apartment , the long table covered with showy damask , and bright with a cheerful glitter of glass and silver . " Is papa coming to dinner ? "[149-alicia] asked [Miss Audley]149-alicia . " [I]5100-the young lady 'm so hungry ; and poor [Tomlins]339-tomlins has sent up three times to say the fish will be spoiled . It must be reduced to a species of isinglass soup , by this time , [I]5100-the young lady should think , "[5100-the young lady] added [the young lady]5100-the young lady , as [she]5100-the young lady came out into [the vestibule]3508-the vestibule with the Times newspaper in [her]5100-the young lady hand . [She]5100-the young lady had been sitting by the fire reading the paper , and waiting for [[her]5100-the young lady seniors]4061-her seniors to join [her]5100-the young lady at the dinner table . " Oh , it 's [you]173-robert , [Mr. Robert Audley]173-robert . "[5100-the young lady] [she]5100-the young lady remarked , indifferently . " [You]173-robert dine with [us]7772-us of course . Pray go and find [papa]1002-papa . It must be nearly eight o'clock , and [we]7772-us are supposed to dine at six . "[5100-the young lady] [Mr. Audley]173-robert answered [[his]173-robert cousin]786-his cousin rather sternly . [Her]786-his cousin frivolous manner jarred upon [him]173-robert , and [he]173-robert forgot in [his]173-robert irrational displeasure that [Miss Audley]149-alicia had known nothing of the terrible drama which had been so long enacting under [her]149-alicia very nose . " [[Your]149-alicia papa]5513-your papa has just endured a very great grief , [Alicia]149-alicia , "[667-the young man] [the young man]667-the young man said , gravely . [The girl]753-the girl 's arch , laughing face changed in a moment to a tenderly earnest look of sorrow and anxiety . [Alicia Audley]149-alicia loved [[her]149-alicia father]481-her father very dearly . " A grief ? "[149-alicia] [she]149-alicia exclaimed ; " [papa]1002-papa grieved ! Oh ! [Robert]173-robert , what has happened ? "[149-alicia] " [I]173-robert can tell [you]149-alicia nothing yet , [Alicia]149-alicia , "[173-robert] [Robert]173-robert answered in a low voice . [He]173-robert took [[his]173-robert cousin]786-his cousin by the wrist , and drew [her]786-his cousin into [the dining - room]4737-the dining - room as [he]173-robert spoke . [He]173-robert closed the door carefully behind [him]173-robert before [he]173-robert continued : " [Alicia]149-alicia , can [I]173-robert trust [you]149-alicia ? "[173-robert] [he]173-robert asked , earnestly . " Trust [me]173-robert to do what ? "[173-robert] " To be a comfort and [a friend to [[your]149-alicia poor father]7777-your poor father]7776-a friend to your poor father under a very heavy affliction . "[173-robert] " Yes ! "[149-alicia] cried [Alicia]149-alicia , passionately . " How can [you]173-robert ask [me]149-alicia such a question ? Do [you]173-robert think there is anything [I]149-alicia would not do to lighten any sorrow of [[my]149-alicia father]4643-my father 's ? Do [you]173-robert think there is anything [I]149-alicia would not suffer if [my]149-alicia suffering could lighten [his]4643-my father ? "[149-alicia] The rushing tears rose to [Miss Audley]149-alicia 's bright gray eyes as [she]149-alicia spoke . " Oh , [Robert]173-robert ! [Robert]173-robert ! could [you]173-robert think so badly of [me]149-alicia as to think [I]149-alicia would not try to be a comfort to [[my]149-alicia father]4643-my father in [his]4643-my father grief ? "[149-alicia] [she]149-alicia said , reproachfully . " No , no , [[my]667-the young man dear]4626-my dear , "[667-the young man] answered [the young man]667-the young man , quietly ; " [I]667-the young man never doubted [your]4626-my dear affection , [I]667-the young man only doubted [your]4626-my dear discretion . May [I]667-the young man rely upon that ? "[667-the young man] " [You]173-robert may , [Robert]173-robert , "[149-alicia] said [Alicia]149-alicia , resolutely . " Very well , then , [[my]149-alicia dear girl]3265-my dear girl , [I]149-alicia will trust [you]4626-my dear . [[Your]4626-my dear father]914-your father is going to leave [the Court]373-the court , for a time at least . The grief which [he]4643-my father has just endured — a sudden and unlooked - for sorrow , remember — has no doubt made this place hateful to [him]4643-my father . [He]4643-my father is going away ; but [he]4643-my father must not go alone , must [he]4643-my father , [Alicia]149-alicia ? "[149-alicia] " Alone ? no ! no ! But [I]667-the young man suppose [[my]667-the young man lady]468-my lady — "[667-the young man] " [Lady Audley]150-lady audley will not go with [him]4643-my father , "[173-robert] said [Robert]173-robert , gravely ; " [he]4643-my father is about to separate [himself]4643-my father from [her]150-lady audley . "[173-robert] " For a time ? "[667-the young man] " No , forever . "[667-the young man] " Separate [himself]4643-my father from [her]150-lady audley forever ! "[149-alicia] exclaimed [Alicia]149-alicia . " Then this grief — "[149-alicia] " Is connected with [Lady Audley]150-lady audley . [Lady Audley]150-lady audley is the cause of [[your]149-alicia father]914-your father 's sorrow . "[149-alicia] [Alicia]149-alicia 's face , which had been pale before , flushed crimson . Sorrow , of which [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady was the cause — a sorrow which was to separate [Sir Michael]146-sir michael forever from [[his]146-sir michael wife]554-his wife ! There had been no quarrel between [them]4071-them — there had never been anything but harmony and sunshine between [Lady Audley]150-lady audley and [[her]150-lady audley generous husband]5130-her generous husband . This sorrow must surely then have arisen from some sudden discovery ; it was , no doubt , a sorrow associated with disgrace . [Robert Audley]173-robert understood the meaning of that vivid blush . " [You]149-alicia will offer to accompany [[your]149-alicia father]914-your father wherever [he]914-your father may choose to go , [Alicia]149-alicia , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said . " [You]149-alicia are [his]914-your father natural comforter at such a time as this , but [you]149-alicia will best befriend [him]914-your father in this hour of trial by avoiding all intrusion upon [his]914-your father grief . [Your]149-alicia very ignorance of the particulars of that grief will be a security for [your]149-alicia discretion . Say nothing to [[your]149-alicia father]914-your father that [you]149-alicia might not have said to [him]914-your father two years ago , before [he]914-your father married [a second wife]470-a second wife . Try and be to [him]914-your father what [you]149-alicia were before [the woman in [yonder room]7790-yonder room]7789-the woman in yonder room came between [you]149-alicia and [[your]149-alicia father]914-your father 's love . "[173-robert] " [I]149-alicia will , "[149-alicia] murmured [Alicia]149-alicia , " [I]149-alicia will . "[149-alicia] " [You]149-alicia will naturally avoid all mention of [Lady Audley]150-lady audley 's name . If [[your]149-alicia father]914-your father is often silent , be patient ; if it sometimes seems to [you]149-alicia that the shadow of this great sorrow will never pass away from [his]914-your father life , be patient still ; and remember that there can be no better hope of a cure of [his]914-your father grief than the hope that [[his]914-your father daughter]556-his daughter 's devotion may lead [him]914-your father to remember there is [one woman upon [this earth]1644-this earth who will love [him]914-your father truly and purely until the last]7794-one woman upon this earth who will love him truly and purely until the last . "[173-robert] " Yes — yes , [Robert]173-robert , [dear cousin]7796-dear cousin , [I]149-alicia will remember . "[149-alicia] [Mr. Audley]173-robert , for the first time since [he]173-robert had been [a schoolboy]4073-a schoolboy , took [[his]173-robert cousin]786-his cousin in [his]173-robert arms and kissed [her]786-his cousin broad forehead . " [[My]173-robert dear]4626-my dear [Alicia]149-alicia , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said , " do this and [you]149-alicia will make [me]173-robert happy . [I]173-robert have been in some measure the means of bringing this sorrow upon [[your]149-alicia father]914-your father . Let [me]173-robert hope that it is not an enduring one . Try and restore [[my]173-robert uncle]991-my uncle to happiness , [Alicia]149-alicia , and [I]173-robert will love [you]149-alicia more dearly than [brother]7800-brother ever loved [a noble - hearted sister]7801-a noble - hearted sister ; and a brotherly affection may be worth having , perhaps , after all , [[my]173-robert dear]4626-my dear , though it is very different to [poor Sir [Harry]214-sir harry towers 's enthusiastic worship]7803-poor sir harry 's enthusiastic worship . "[173-robert] [Alicia]149-alicia 's head was bent and [her]149-alicia face hidden from [[her]149-alicia cousin]790-her cousin while [he]790-her cousin spoke , but [she]149-alicia lifted [her]149-alicia head when [he]790-her cousin had finished , and looked [him]790-her cousin full in the face with a smile that was only the brighter for [her]149-alicia eyes being filled with tears . " [You]790-her cousin are [a good fellow]4860-a good fellow , [Bob]174-bob , "[149-alicia] [she]149-alicia said ; " and [I]149-alicia 've been very foolish and wicked to feel angry with [you]174-bob because — "[149-alicia] [The young lady]5100-the young lady stopped suddenly . " Because what , [[my]5100-the young lady dear]4626-my dear ? "[5100-the young lady] asked [Mr. Audley]173-robert . " Because [I]149-alicia 'm silly , [Cousin Robert]311-cousin robert , "[149-alicia] [Alicia]149-alicia said , quickly ; " never mind that , [Bob]174-bob , [I]149-alicia 'll do all [you]174-bob wish , and it shall not be [my]149-alicia fault if [[my]149-alicia dearest father]7806-my dearest father does n't forget [his]7806-my dearest father troubles before long . [I]149-alicia 'd go to [the end of [the world]519-the world]7807-the end of the world with [him]7806-my dearest father , [poor darling]7809-poor darling , if [I]149-alicia thought there was any comfort to be found for [him]7806-my dearest father in the journey . [I]149-alicia 'll go and get ready directly . Do [you]174-bob think [papa]1002-papa will go to - night ? "[149-alicia] " Yes , [[my]149-alicia dear]4626-my dear ; [I]149-alicia do n't think [Sir Michael]146-sir michael will rest another night under this roof yet awhile . "[149-alicia] " The mail goes at twenty minutes past nine , "[149-alicia] said [Alicia]149-alicia ; " [we]7812-we must leave [the house]388-the house in an hour if [we]7812-we are to travel by [it]7814-it . [I]149-alicia shall see [you]174-bob again before [we]7812-we go , [Robert]173-robert ? "[149-alicia] " Yes , [dear]5809-dear . "[149-alicia] [Miss Audley]149-alicia ran off to [[her]149-alicia room]7372-her room to summon [[her]149-alicia maid]761-her maid , and make all necessary preparations for the sudden journey , of whose ultimate destination [she]149-alicia was as yet quite ignorant . [She]149-alicia went heart and soul into the carrying out of the duty which [Robert]173-robert had dictated to [her]149-alicia . [She]149-alicia assisted in the packing of [her]149-alicia portmanteaus , and hopelessly bewildered [[her]149-alicia maid]761-her maid by stuffing silk dresses into [her]149-alicia bonnet - boxes and satin shoes into [her]149-alicia dressing - case . [She]149-alicia roamed about [[her]149-alicia rooms]1114-her rooms , gathering together drawing - materials , music - books , needle - work , hair - brushes , jewelry , and perfume - bottles , very much as [she]149-alicia might have done had [she]149-alicia been about to sail for [some savage country]4081-some savage country , devoid of all civilized resources . [She]149-alicia was thinking all the time of [[her]149-alicia father]481-her father 's unknown grief , and perhaps a little of the serious face and earnest voice which had that night revealed [[her]149-alicia Cousin]790-her cousin [Robert]173-robert to [her]149-alicia in a new character . [Mr. Audley]173-robert went up - [stairs]5306-stairs after [[his]173-robert cousin]786-his cousin , and found [his]173-robert way to [[Sir Michael]146-sir michael 's dressing - room]4086-sir michael 's dressing - room . [He]173-robert knocked at the door and listened , Heaven knows how anxiously , for the expected answer . There was a moment 's pause , during which [the young man]667-the young man 's heart beat loud and fast , and then the door was opened by [the baronet]465-the baronet [himself]465-the baronet . [Robert]173-robert saw that [[[his]173-robert uncle]4872-his uncle 's valet]4090-his uncle 's valet was already hard at work preparing for [[his]173-robert master]2445-his master 's hurried journey . [Sir Michael]146-sir michael came out into [the corridor]4092-the corridor . " Have [you]173-robert anything more to say to [me]146-sir michael , [Robert]173-robert ? "[146-sir michael] [he]146-sir michael asked , quietly . " [I]146-sir michael only came to ascertain if [I]146-sir michael could assist in any of [your]173-robert arrangements . [You]173-robert go to [London]3-london by the mail ? "[146-sir michael] " Yes . "[146-sir michael] " Have [you]173-robert any idea of where [you]173-robert will stay . "[146-sir michael] " Yes , [I]146-sir michael shall stop at [the Clarendon]120-the clarendon ; [I]146-sir michael am known [there]374-there . Is that all [you]173-robert have to say ? "[146-sir michael] " Yes ; except that [Alicia]149-alicia will accompany [you]173-robert ? "[146-sir michael] " [Alicia]149-alicia ! "[146-sir michael] " [She]149-alicia could not very well stay here , [you]173-robert know , just now . It would be best for [her]149-alicia to leave [the Court]373-the court until — "[146-sir michael] " Yes , yes , [I]465-the baronet understand , "[465-the baronet] interrupted [the baronet]465-the baronet ; " but is there nowhere else that [she]149-alicia could go — must [she]149-alicia be with [me]465-the baronet ? "[465-the baronet] " [She]149-alicia could go nowhere else so immediately , and [she]149-alicia would not be happy anywhere else . "[146-sir michael] " Let [her]149-alicia come , then , "[146-sir michael] said [Sir Michael]146-sir michael , " let [her]149-alicia come . "[146-sir michael] [He]146-sir michael spoke in a strange , subdued voice , and with an apparent effort , as if it were painful to [him]146-sir michael to have to speak at all ; as if all this ordinary business of life were a cruel torture to [him]146-sir michael , and jarred so much upon [his]146-sir michael grief as to be almost worse to bear than that grief itself . " Very well , [[my]465-the baronet dear uncle]1023-my dear uncle , then all is arranged ; [Alicia]149-alicia will be ready to start at nine o'clock . "[465-the baronet] " Very good , very good , "[465-the baronet] muttered [the baronet]465-the baronet ; " let [her]149-alicia come if [she]149-alicia pleases , [poor child]7819-poor child , let [her]149-alicia come . "[146-sir michael] [He]146-sir michael sighed heavily as [he]146-sir michael spoke in that half pitying tone of [[his]146-sir michael daughter]556-his daughter . [He]146-sir michael was thinking how comparatively indifferent [he]146-sir michael had been toward [that only child]4096-that only child for the sake of [the woman]5008-the woman now shut in [the fire - lit room below]4098-the fire - lit room below . " [I]173-robert shall see [you]465-the baronet again before [you]465-the baronet go , [sir]900-sir , "[173-robert] said [Robert]173-robert ; " [I]173-robert will leave [you]465-the baronet till then . "[173-robert] " Stay ! "[146-sir michael] said [Sir Michael]146-sir michael , suddenly ; " have [you]465-the baronet told [Alicia]149-alicia ? "[146-sir michael] " [I]173-robert have told [her]149-alicia nothing , except that [you]465-the baronet are about to leave [the Court]373-the court for some time . "[173-robert] " [You]465-the baronet are very good , [[my]465-the baronet boy]7822-my boy , [you]465-the baronet are very good , "[465-the baronet] [the baronet]465-the baronet murmured in a broken voice . [He]465-the baronet stretched out [his]465-the baronet hand . [[His]465-the baronet nephew]5177-his nephew took it in both [his]5177-his nephew own , and pressed it to [his]5177-his nephew lips . " Oh , [sir]900-sir ! how can [I]465-the baronet ever forgive [myself]465-the baronet ? "[465-the baronet] [he]465-the baronet said ; " how can [I]465-the baronet ever cease to hate [myself]465-the baronet for having brought this grief upon [you]465-the baronet ? "[465-the baronet] " No , no , [Robert]173-robert , [you]465-the baronet did right ; [I]146-sir michael wish that [God]164-god had been so merciful to [me]146-sir michael as to take [my]146-sir michael miserable life before this night ; but [you]465-the baronet did right . "[146-sir michael] [Sir Michael]146-sir michael re - entered [[his]146-sir michael dressing - room]957-his dressing - room , and [Robert]173-robert slowly returned to [the vestibule]3508-the vestibule . [He]173-robert paused upon the threshold of [that chamber in which [he]173-robert had left [Lucy]197-lucy — [Lady Audley]150-lady audley]4103-that chamber in which he had left lucy — lady audley , otherwise [Helen Talboys]179-helen talboys , [the wife of [[his]173-robert lost friend]2029-his lost friend]4104-the wife of his lost friend . [She]197-lucy was lying upon the floor , upon the very spot in which [she]197-lucy had crouched at [[her]197-lucy husband]469-her husband 's feet telling [her]197-lucy guilty story . Whether [she]197-lucy was in a swoon , or whether [she]197-lucy lay there in the utter helplessness of [her]197-lucy misery , [Robert]173-robert scarcely cared to know . [He]173-robert went out into [the vestibule]3508-the vestibule , and sent [one of [the servants]545-the servants]7438-one of the servants to look for [[her]197-lucy maid]761-her maid , [the smart , be - ribboned damsel who was loud in wonder and consternation at the sight of [[her]197-lucy mistress]1497-her mistress]4111-the smart , be - ribboned damsel who was loud in wonder and consternation at the sight of her mistress . " [Lady Audley]150-lady audley is very ill , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said ; " take [her]150-lady audley to [[her]150-lady audley room]7372-her room and see that [she]150-lady audley does not leave it to - night . [You]753-the girl will be good enough to remain near [her]150-lady audley , but do not either talk to [her]150-lady audley or suffer [her]150-lady audley to excite [herself]150-lady audley by talking . "[173-robert] [[My]0-i lady]468-my lady had not fainted ; [she]468-my lady allowed [the girl]753-the girl to assist [her]468-my lady , and rose from the ground upon which [she]468-my lady had groveled . [Her]468-my lady golden hair fell in loose , disheveled masses about [her]468-my lady ivory throat and shoulders , [her]468-my lady face and lips were colorless , [her]468-my lady eyes terrible in their unnatural light . " Take [me]468-my lady away , "[468-my lady] [she]468-my lady said , " and let [me]468-my lady sleep ! Let [me]468-my lady sleep , for [my]468-my lady brain is on fire ! "[468-my lady] As [she]468-my lady was leaving [the room]595-the room with [[her]468-my lady maid]761-her maid , [she]468-my lady turned and looked at [Robert]173-robert . " Is [Sir Michael]146-sir michael gone ? "[468-my lady] [she]468-my lady asked . " [He]146-sir michael will leave in half an hour . "[468-my lady] " There were no lives lost in the fire at [Mount Stanning]222-mount stanning ? "[468-my lady] " None . "[468-my lady] " [I]468-my lady am glad of that . "[468-my lady] " [The landlord of [the house]388-the house]7825-the landlord of the house , [Marks]166-phoebe , was very terribly burned , and lies in a precarious state at [[[his]7825-the landlord of the house mother]533-his mother 's cottage]7625-his mother 's cottage ; but [he]7825-the landlord of the house may recover . "[468-my lady] " [I]468-my lady am glad of that — [I]468-my lady am glad no life was lost . Good - night , [Mr. Audley]173-robert . "[468-my lady] " [I]468-my lady shall ask to see [you]468-my lady for half an hour 's conversation in the course of to - morrow , [[my]468-my lady lady]468-my lady . "[468-my lady] " Whenever [you]468-my lady please . Good night . "[468-my lady] " Good night . "[468-my lady] [She]468-my lady went away quietly leaning upon [[her]468-my lady maid]761-her maid 's shoulder , and leaving [Robert]173-robert with a sense of strange bewilderment that was very painful to [him]173-robert . [He]173-robert sat down by the broad hearth upon which the red embers were fading , and wondered at the change in [that old house]4118-that old house which , until the day of [[his]173-robert friend]4909-his friend 's disappearance , had been so pleasant [a home for all who sheltered beneath [its]4118-that old house hospitable roof]4120-a home for all who sheltered beneath its hospitable roof . [He]173-robert sat brooding over the desolate hearth , and trying to decide upon what must be done in this sudden crisis . [He]173-robert sat helpless and powerless to determine upon any course of action , lost in a dull revery , from which [he]173-robert was aroused by the sound of carriage - wheels driving up to the little turret entrance . The clock in [the vestibule]3508-the vestibule struck nine as [Robert]173-robert opened [the library]5301-the library door . [Alicia]149-alicia had just descended the stairs with [[her]149-alicia maid]761-her maid ; [a rosy - faced country girl]4124-a rosy - faced country girl . " Good - by , [Robert]173-robert , "[149-alicia] said [Miss Audley]149-alicia , holding out [her]149-alicia hand to [[her]149-alicia cousin]790-her cousin ; " good - by , and God bless [you]790-her cousin ! [You]790-her cousin may trust [me]149-alicia to take care of [papa]1002-papa . "[149-alicia] " [I]149-alicia am sure [I]149-alicia may . God bless [you]790-her cousin , [[my]149-alicia dear]4626-my dear . "[149-alicia] For the second time that night [Robert Audley]173-robert pressed [his]173-robert lips to [[his]173-robert cousin]786-his cousin 's candid forehead , and for the second time the embrace was of a brotherly or paternal character , rather than the rapturous proceeding which it would have been had [Sir Harry Towers]214-sir harry towers been [the privileged performer]4127-the privileged performer . It was five minutes past nine when [Sir Michael]146-sir michael came down - [stairs]5306-stairs , followed by [[his]146-sir michael valet]4037-his valet , grave and gray - haired like [himself]146-sir michael . [The baronet]465-the baronet was pale , but calm and self - possessed . The hand which [he]465-the baronet gave to [[his]465-the baronet nephew]5177-his nephew was as cold as ice , but it was with a steady voice that [he]465-the baronet bade [the young man]667-the young man good - by . " [I]465-the baronet leave all in [your]667-the young man hands , [Robert]173-robert , "[465-the baronet] [he]465-the baronet said , as [he]465-the baronet turned to leave [the house in which [he]465-the baronet had lived so long]4133-the house in which he had lived so long . " [I]465-the baronet may not have heard the end , but [I]465-the baronet have heard enough . Heaven knows [I]465-the baronet have no need to hear more . [I]465-the baronet leave all to [you]667-the young man , but [you]667-the young man will not be cruel — [you]667-the young man will remember how much [I]465-the baronet loved — "[465-the baronet] [His]465-the baronet voice broke huskily before [he]465-the baronet could finish the sentence . " [I]667-the young man will remember [you]173-robert in everything , [sir]900-sir , "[667-the young man] [the young man]667-the young man answered . " [I]667-the young man will do everything for the best . "[667-the young man] A treacherous mist of tears blinded [him]667-the young man and shut out [[his]667-the young man uncle]4872-his uncle 's face , and in another minute [the carriage]5171-the carriage had driven away , and [Robert Audley]173-robert sat alone in [the dark library]4137-the dark library , where only one red spark glowed among the pale gray ashes . [He]173-robert sat alone , trying to think what [he]173-robert ought to do , and with the awful responsibility of [a wicked woman]3110-a wicked woman 's fate upon [his]173-robert shoulders . " Good Heaven ! "[173-robert] [he]173-robert thought ; " surely this must be [God]164-god 's judgment upon the purposeless , vacillating life [I]173-robert led up to the seventh day of last September . Surely this awful responsibility has been forced upon [me]173-robert in order that [I]173-robert may humble [myself]173-robert to an offended Providence , and confess that [a man]445-a man can not choose [his]445-a man own life . [He]445-a man can not say , ' [I]173-robert will take existence lightly , and keep out of the way of [the wretched , mistaken , energetic creatures , who fight so heartily in the great battle]7834-the wretched , mistaken , energetic creatures , who fight so heartily in the great battle . ' [He]445-a man can not say , ' [I]173-robert will stop in [the tents]7835-the tents while the strife is fought , and laugh at [the fools who are trampled down in the useless struggle]7836-the fools who are trampled down in the useless struggle . ' [He]445-a man can not do this . [He]445-a man can only do , humbly and fearfully , that which [the Maker who created]7837-the maker who created [him]445-a man has appointed for [him]445-a man to do . If [he]445-a man has a battle to fight , let [him]445-a man fight it faithfully ; but woe betide [him]445-a man if [he]445-a man skulks when [his]445-a man name is called in the mighty muster - roll , woe betide [him]445-a man if [he]445-a man hides in [the tents]7835-the tents when [the tocsin]7839-the tocsin summons [him]445-a man to the scene of war ! "[173-robert] [One of [the servants]545-the servants]7438-one of the servants brought candles into [the library]5301-the library and relighted the fire , but [Robert Audley]173-robert did not stir from [his]173-robert seat by the hearth . [He]173-robert sat as [he]173-robert had often sat in [[his]173-robert chambers in [Figtree Court]14-figtree court]4142-his chambers in figtree court , with [his]173-robert elbows resting upon the arms of [his]173-robert chair , and [his]173-robert chin upon [his]173-robert hand . But [he]173-robert lifted [his]173-robert head as [the servant]1203-the servant was about to leave [the room]595-the room . " Can [I]173-robert send a message from here to [London]3-london ? "[173-robert] [he]173-robert asked . " It can be sent from [Brentwood]65-brentwood , [sir]900-sir — not from here . "[173-robert] [Mr. Audley]173-robert looked at [his]173-robert watch thoughtfully . " [One of [the men]4718-the men]4717-one of the men can ride over to [Brentwood]65-brentwood , [sir]900-sir , if [you]900-sir wish any message to be sent . "[173-robert] " [I]173-robert do wish to send a message ; will [you]900-sir manage it for [me]173-robert , [Richards]340-richards ? "[173-robert] " Certainly , [sir]900-sir . "[173-robert] " [You]900-sir can wait , then , while [I]173-robert write the message . "[173-robert] " Yes , [sir]900-sir . "[634-the man] [The man]634-the man brought writing materials from one of the side - tables , and placed them before [Mr. Audley]173-robert . [Robert]173-robert dipped a pen in the ink , and stared thoughtfully at one of the candles for a few moments before [he]173-robert began to write . The message ran thus : " From [Robert Audley]173-robert , of [Audley Court]1-audley court , [Essex]2-essex , to [Francis Wilmington]341-francis wilmington , of [Paper - buildings]7846-paper - buildings , [Temple]121-temple . "[342-dear wilmington] [DEAR WILMINGTON]342-dear wilmington — If [you]342-dear wilmington know [any physician experienced in cases of mania]4146-any physician experienced in cases of mania , and to be trusted with a secret , be so good as to send [me]0-i [his]4146-any physician experienced in cases of mania address by telegraph . " [Mr. Audley]173-robert sealed this document in a stout envelope , and handed it to [the man]634-the man , with a sovereign . "[4147-you] [You]4147-you will see that this is given to [a trustworthy person]4148-a trustworthy person , [Richards]340-richards , " [he]173-robert said , "[340-richards] and let [the man]634-the man wait at [the station]1271-the station for the return message . [He]634-the man ought to get it in an hour and a half . " [Mr. Richards]340-richards , who had known [Robert Audley]173-robert in jackets and turn - down collars , departed to execute [his]340-richards commission . Heaven forbid that [we]7848-we should follow [him]173-robert into [the comfortable [servants]7304-servants ' hall]7849-the comfortable servants ' hall at [the Court]373-the court , where [the household]3814-the household sat round the blazing fire , discussing in utter bewilderment the events of the day . Nothing could be wider from the truth than the speculations of [these worthy people]7853-these worthy people . What clew had [they]7853-these worthy people to the mystery of [that firelit room in which [a guilty woman]7855-a guilty woman had knelt at [[their]7853-these worthy people master]5369-their master 's feet to tell the story of [her]7855-a guilty woman sinful life]7854-that firelit room in which a guilty woman had knelt at their master 's feet to tell the story of her sinful life ? [They]7853-these worthy people only knew that which [[Sir Michael]146-sir michael 's valet]7857-sir michael 's valet had told [them]7853-these worthy people of this sudden journey . How [[his]146-sir michael master]2445-his master was as pale as a sheet , and spoke in a strange voice that did n't sound like [his]2445-his master own , somehow , and how [you]7859-you might have knocked [him]2445-his master — [Mr. Parsons]343-mr. parsons , [the valet]7860-the valet — down with a feather , if [you]7859-you had been minded to prostrate [him]2445-his master by the aid of so feeble a weapon . [[The wiseheads of the servants]7861-the wiseheads of the servants ' hall]7862-the wiseheads of the servants ' hall decided that [Sir Michael]146-sir michael had received sudden intelligence through [Mr. Robert]173-robert — [they]7862-the wiseheads of the servants ' hall were wise enough to connect [the young man]667-the young man with the catastrophe — either of the death of [some near and dear relation]7864-some near and dear relation — [the elder servants]7865-the elder servants decimated [the Audley family]7866-the audley family in [their]7865-the elder servants endeavors to find a likely relation — or of some alarming fall in the funds , or of the failure of some speculation or bank in which the greater part of [the baronet]465-the baronet 's money was invested . The general leaning was toward the failure of a bank , and [every member of the assembly]7868-every member of the assembly seemed to take a dismal and raven - like delight in the fancy , though such a supposition involved [their]7868-every member of the assembly own ruin in the general destruction of [that liberal household]7869-that liberal household . [Robert]173-robert sat by the dreary hearth , which seemed dreary even now when the blaze of a great wood - fire roared in the wide chimney , and listened to the low wail of the March wind moaning round [the house]388-the house and lifting the shivering ivy from the walls [it]388-the house sheltered . [He]173-robert was tired and worn out , for remember that [he]173-robert had been awakened from [his]173-robert sleep at two o'clock that morning by the hot breath of blazing timber and the sharp crackling of burning woodwork . But for [his]173-robert presence of mind and cool decision , [Mr. Luke Marks]167-luke would have died a dreadful death . [He]173-robert still bore the traces of the night 's peril , for the dark hair had been singed upon one side of [his]173-robert forehead , and [his]173-robert left hand was red and inflamed , from the effect of the scorching atmosphere out of which [he]173-robert had dragged [the landlord of [the Castle Inn]1595-the castle inn]1606-the landlord of the castle inn . [He]173-robert was thoroughly exhausted with fatigue and excitement , and [he]173-robert fell into a heavy sleep in [his]173-robert easy - chair before the bright fire , from which [he]173-robert was only awakened by the entrance of [Mr. Richards]340-richards with the return message . This return message was very brief . "[634-the man] [DEAR AUDLEY]344-dear audley — Always glad to oblige . [Alwyn Mosgrave]345-dr. mosgrave , M.D. , 12 [Saville Row]122-saville row . Safe . " This with names and addresses , was all that it contained . "[0-i] [I]0-i shall want another message taken to [Brentwood]65-brentwood to - morrow morning , [Richards]340-richards , " said [Mr. Audley]173-robert , as [he]0-i folded the telegram . "[340-richards] [I]0-i should be glad if [the man]634-the man would ride over with [it]4152-it before breakfast . [He]634-the man shall have half a sovereign for [his]634-the man trouble . " [Mr. Richards]340-richards bowed . "[634-the man] Thank [you]0-i , [sir]900-sir — not necessary , [sir]900-sir ; but as [you]0-i please , of course , [sir]900-sir , " [he]0-i murmured . "[0-i] At what hour might [you]0-i wish [the man]634-the man to go ? " [Mr. Audley]173-robert might wish [the man]634-the man to go as early as [he]634-the man could , so it was decided that [he]634-the man should go at six . "[0-i] [[My]0-i room]6080-my room is ready , [I]0-i suppose , [Richards]340-richards ? " said [Robert]173-robert . "[900-sir] Yes , [sir]900-sir — [[your]340-richards old room]4159-your old room . " "[900-sir] Very good . [I]0-i shall go to bed at once . Bring [me]0-i a glass of brandy and water as hot as [you]0-i can make it , and wait for the telegram . " This second message was only a very earnest request to [Doctor Mosgrave]346-doctor mosgrave to pay an immediate visit to [Audley Court]1-audley court on a matter of serious moment . Having written this message , [Mr. Audley]173-robert felt that [he]173-robert had done all that [he]173-robert could do . [He]173-robert drank [his]173-robert brandy and water . [He]173-robert had actual need of the diluted alcohol , for [he]173-robert had been chilled to the bone by [his]173-robert adventures during the fire . [He]173-robert slowly sipped the pale golden liquid and thought of [Clara Talboys]256-clara talboys , of [that earnest girl whose [brother]7800-brother 's memory was now avenged , whose [brother]7800-brother]7874-that earnest girl whose brother 's memory was now avenged , whose brother 's destroyer was humiliated in the dust . Had [she]256-clara talboys heard of the fire at [the Castle Inn]54-the castle inn ? How could [she]256-clara talboys have done otherwise than hear of it in [such a place as [Mount Stanning]69-mount stanning]7877-such a place as mount stanning ? But had [she]256-clara talboys heard that [he]173-robert had been in danger , and that [he]173-robert had distinguished [himself]173-robert by the rescue of [a drunken boor]7878-a drunken boor ? [I]0-i fear that , even sitting by that desolate hearth , and beneath the roof whose noble was an exile from [[his]173-robert own house]2356-his own house , [Robert Audley]173-robert was weak enough to think of these things — weak enough to let [his]173-robert fancy wander away to the dismal fir - trees under the cold March sky , and the dark - brown eyes that were so like the eyes of [[his]173-robert lost friend]2029-his lost friend . [[My]0-i lady]468-my lady slept . Through that long winter night [she]468-my lady slept soundly . [Criminals]7882-criminals have often so slept [their]7882-criminals last sleep upon earth ; and have been found in the gray morning slumbering peacefully , by [the jailer who came to wake [them]7882-criminals]7883-the jailer who came to wake them . The game had been played and lost . [I]0-i do not think that [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady had thrown away a card , or missed the making of a trick which [she]468-my lady might by any possibility have made ; but [[her]468-my lady opponent]7885-her opponent 's hand had been too powerful for [her]468-my lady , and [he]7885-her opponent had won . [She]468-my lady looked upon [herself]468-my lady as a species of [state prisoner , who would have to be taken good care of]7886-state prisoner , who would have to be taken good care of . A second Iron Mask , who must be provided for in some comfortable place of confinement . [She]468-my lady abandoned [herself]468-my lady to a dull indifference . [She]468-my lady had lived a hundred lives within the space of the last few days of [her]468-my lady existence , and [she]468-my lady had worn out [her]468-my lady capacity for suffering — for a time at least . [She]468-my lady ate [her]468-my lady breakfast , and took [her]468-my lady morning bath , and emerged , with perfumed hair and in the most exquisitely careless of morning toilets , from [[her]468-my lady luxurious dressing - room]5125-her luxurious dressing - room . [She]468-my lady looked at [herself]468-my lady in the cheval - glass before [she]468-my lady left [the room]595-the room . A long night 's rest had brought back the delicate rose - tints of [her]468-my lady complexion , and the natural luster of [her]468-my lady blue eyes . That unnatural light which had burned so fearfully the day before had gone , and [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady smiled triumphantly as [she]468-my lady contemplated the reflection of [her]468-my lady beauty . The days were gone in which [[her]468-my lady enemies]7207-her enemies could have branded [her]468-my lady with white - hot irons , and burned away the loveliness which had done such mischief . Whatever [they]7207-her enemies did to [her]468-my lady [they]7207-her enemies must leave [her]468-my lady [her]468-my lady beauty , [she]468-my lady thought . At the worst , [they]7207-her enemies were powerless to rob [her]468-my lady of that . The March day was bright and sunny , with a cheerless sunshine certainly . [[My]0-i lady]468-my lady wrapped [herself]468-my lady in an Indian shawl ; a shawl that had cost [Sir Michael]146-sir michael a hundred guineas . [I]0-i think [she]468-my lady had an idea that it would be well to wear this costly garment ; so that if hustled suddenly away , [she]468-my lady might carry at least one of [her]468-my lady possessions with [her]468-my lady . Remember how much [she]468-my lady had periled for [a fine house]7892-a fine house and gorgeous furniture , for [carriages]3827-carriages and horses , jewels and laces ; and do not wonder if [she]468-my lady clings with a desperate tenacity to gauds and gew - gaws , in the hour of [her]468-my lady despair . If [she]468-my lady had been [Judas]347-judas , [she]468-my lady would have held to [her]468-my lady thirty pieces of silver to the last moment of [her]468-my lady shameful life . [Mr. Robert Audley]173-robert breakfasted in [the library]5301-the library . [He]173-robert sat long over [his]173-robert solitary cup of tea , smoking [his]173-robert meerschaum pipe , and meditating darkly upon the task that lay before [him]173-robert . "[0-i] [I]0-i will appeal to the experience of [this Dr. Mosgrave]345-dr. mosgrave , " [he]173-robert though ; "[345-dr. mosgrave] [physicians]4160-physicians and [lawyers]6428-lawyers are [the confessors of this prosaic nineteenth century]4162-the confessors of this prosaic nineteenth century . Surely , [he]345-dr. mosgrave will be able to help [me]0-i . " [The first fast train]7895-the first fast train from [London]3-london arrived at [Audley]173-robert at half - past ten o'clock , and at five minutes before eleven , [Richards]340-richards , [the grave servant]7896-the grave servant , announced [Dr. Alwyn Mosgrave]345-dr. mosgrave . [The physician from [Saville Row]122-saville row]7897-the physician from saville row was [a tall man of about fifty years of age]7898-a tall man of about fifty years of age . [He]7897-the physician from saville row was thin and sallow , with lantern jaws , and eyes of a pale , feeble gray , that seemed as if they had once been blue , and had faded by the progress of time to their present neutral shade . However powerful the science of medicine as wielded by [Dr. Alwyn Mosgrave]345-dr. mosgrave , it had not been strong enough to put flesh upon [his]7897-the physician from saville row bones , or brightness into [his]7897-the physician from saville row face . [He]7897-the physician from saville row had a strangely expressionless , and yet strangely attentive countenance . [He]7897-the physician from saville row had the face of [a man who had spent the greater part of [his]7897-the physician from saville row life in listening to [other people]1822-other people , and who had parted with [his]7897-the physician from saville row own individuality and [his]7897-the physician from saville row own passions at the very outset of [his]7897-the physician from saville row career]7899-a man who had spent the greater part of his life in listening to other people , and who had parted with his own individuality and his own passions at the very outset of his career . [He]7897-the physician from saville row bowed to [Robert Audley]173-robert , took the opposite seat indicated by [him]7897-the physician from saville row , and addressed [his]7897-the physician from saville row attentive face to [the young barrister]5094-the young barrister . [Robert]173-robert saw that [the physician]3070-the physician 's glance for a moment lost its quiet look of attention , and became earnest and searching . "[4163-he] [He]4163-he is wondering whether [I]0-i am [the patient]6552-the patient , " thought [Mr. Audley]173-robert , "[6552-the patient] and is looking for the diagnoses of madness in [my]0-i face . " [Dr. Mosgrave]345-dr. mosgrave spoke as if in answer to this thought . "[4163-he] Is it not about [your]0-i own — health — that [you]0-i wish to consult [me]0-i ? " [he]0-i said , interrogatively . "[0-i] Oh , no ! " [Dr. Mosgrave]345-dr. mosgrave looked at [his]345-dr. mosgrave watch , a fifty - guinea Benson - made chronometer , which [he]345-dr. mosgrave carried loose in [his]345-dr. mosgrave waistcoat pocket as carelessly as if it had been a potato . "[0-i] [I]0-i need not remind [you]0-i that [my]0-i time is precious , " [he]0-i said ; "[0-i] [your]0-i telegram informed [me]0-i that [my]0-i services were required in a case of — danger — as [I]0-i apprehend , or [I]0-i should not be here this morning . " [Robert Audley]173-robert had sat looking gloomily at the fire , wondering how [he]173-robert should begin the conversation , and had needed this reminder of [the physician]3070-the physician 's presence . "[0-i] [You]0-i are very good , [Dr. Mosgrave]345-dr. mosgrave , " [he]0-i said , rousing [himself]0-i by an effort , "[345-dr. mosgrave] and [I]0-i thank [you]0-i very much for having responded to [my]0-i summons . [I]0-i am about to appeal to [you]0-i upon a subject which is more painful to [me]0-i than words can describe . [I]0-i am about to implore [your]0-i advice in a most difficult case , and [I]0-i trust almost blindly to [your]0-i experience to rescue [me]0-i , and [others who are very dear to [me]0-i]4165-others who are very dear to me , from a cruel and complicated position . " The business - like attention in [Dr. Mosgrave]345-dr. mosgrave 's face grew into a look of interest as [he]345-dr. mosgrave listened to [Robert Audley]173-robert . "[3070-the physician] The revelation made by [the patient]6552-the patient to [the physician]3070-the physician is , [I]0-i believe , as sacred as the confession of [a penitent to [[his]4168-a penitent to his priest priest]4169-his priest]4168-a penitent to his priest ? " [Robert]173-robert asked , gravely . "[0-i] Quite as sacred . " "[0-i] A solemn confidence , to be violated under no circumstances ? " "[0-i] Most certainly . " [Robert Audley]173-robert looked at the fire again . How much should [he]173-robert tell , or how little , of the dark history of [[his]173-robert uncle 's second wife]7904-his uncle 's second wife ? "[0-i] [I]0-i have been given to understand , [Dr. Mosgrave]345-dr. mosgrave , that [you]345-dr. mosgrave have devoted much of [your]345-dr. mosgrave attention to the treatment of insanity . " "[345-dr. mosgrave] Yes , [my]0-i practice is almost confined to the treatment of mental diseases . " "[0-i] Such being the case , [I]0-i think [I]0-i may venture to conclude that [you]345-dr. mosgrave sometimes receive strange , and even terrible , revelations . " [Dr. Mosgrave]345-dr. mosgrave bowed . [He]345-dr. mosgrave looked like [a man who could have carried , safely locked in [his]345-dr. mosgrave passionless breast , the secrets of [a nation , and who would have suffered no inconvenience from the weight of such a burden]7906-a nation , and who would have suffered no inconvenience from the weight of such a burden]7905-a man who could have carried , safely locked in his passionless breast , the secrets of a nation , and who would have suffered no inconvenience from the weight of such a burden . "[345-dr. mosgrave] The story which [I]0-i am about to tell [you]345-dr. mosgrave is not [my]0-i own story , " said [Robert]173-robert , after a pause ; "[345-dr. mosgrave] [you]345-dr. mosgrave will forgive [me]0-i , therefore , if [I]0-i once more remind [you]345-dr. mosgrave that [I]0-i can only reveal it upon the understanding that under no circumstances , or upon no apparent justification , is that confidence to be betrayed . " [Dr. Mosgrave]345-dr. mosgrave bowed again . A little sternly , perhaps , this time . "[0-i] [I]0-i am all attention , [Mr. Audley]173-robert , " [he]0-i said coldly . [Robert Audley]173-robert drew [his]173-robert chair nearer to that of [the physician]3070-the physician , and in a low voice began the story which [[my]173-robert lady]468-my lady had told upon [her]468-my lady knees in [that same chamber]7909-that same chamber upon the previous night . [Dr. Mosgrave]345-dr. mosgrave 's listening face , turned always toward [the speaker]4906-the speaker , betrayed no surprise at that strange revelation . [He]345-dr. mosgrave smiled once , a grave , quiet smile , when [Mr. Audley]173-robert came to that part of the story which told of the conspiracy at [Ventnor]26-ventnor ; but [he]345-dr. mosgrave was not surprised . [Robert Audley]173-robert ended [his]173-robert story at the point at which [Sir Michael Audley]146-sir michael had interrupted [[my]173-robert lady]468-my lady 's confession . [He]173-robert told nothing of the disappearance of [George Talboys]181-george talboys , nor of the horrible suspicions that had grown out of that disappearance . [He]173-robert told nothing of the fire at [the Castle Inn]54-the castle inn . [Dr. Mosgrave]345-dr. mosgrave shook [his]345-dr. mosgrave head , gravely , when [Mr. Audley]173-robert came to the end of [his]173-robert story . "[173-robert] [You]4170-you have nothing further to tell [me]0-i ? " [he]0-i said . "[4170-you] No . [I]0-i do not think there is anything more that need be told , " [Robert]173-robert answered , rather evasively . "[0-i] [You]4170-you would wish to prove that [this lady]2399-this lady is mad , and therefore irresponsible for [her]2399-this lady actions , [Mr. Audley]173-robert ? " said [the physician]3070-the physician . [Robert Audley]173-robert stared , wondering at [the mad doctor]7913-the mad doctor . By what process had [he]0-i so rapidly arrived at [the young man]667-the young man 's secret desire ? "[4170-you] Yes , [I]0-i would rather , if possible , think [her]2399-this lady mad ; [I]0-i should be glad to find that excuse for [her]2399-this lady . " "[0-i] And to save the esclandre of a Chancery suit , [I]0-i suppose , [Mr. Audley]173-robert , " said [Dr. Mosgrave]345-dr. mosgrave . [Robert]173-robert shuddered as [he]173-robert bowed an assent to this remark . It was something worse than a Chancery suit that [he]173-robert dreaded with a horrible fear . It was a trial for murder that had so long haunted [his]173-robert dreams . How often [he]173-robert had awoke , in an agony of shame , from a vision of [a crowded court - house]7915-a crowded court - house , and [[[his]173-robert uncle]4872-his uncle 's wife in [a criminal dock]3180-a criminal dock]7917-his uncle 's wife in a criminal dock , hemmed in on every side by a sea of eager faces . "[173-robert] [I]0-i fear that [I]0-i shall not be of any use to [you]173-robert , " [the physician]3070-the physician said , quietly ; "[0-i] [I]0-i will see [the lady]673-the lady , if [you]173-robert please , but [I]0-i do not believe that [she]673-the lady is mad . " "[673-the lady] Why not ? " "[673-the lady] Because there is no evidence of madness in anything [she]673-the lady has done . [She]673-the lady ran away from [[her]673-the lady home]3168-her home , because [[her]673-the lady home]3168-her home was not a pleasant one , and [she]673-the lady left in the hope of finding a better . There is no madness in that . [She]673-the lady committed the crime of bigamy , because by that crime [she]673-the lady obtained fortune and position . There is no madness there . When [she]673-the lady found [herself]673-the lady in a desperate position , [she]673-the lady did not grow desperate . [She]673-the lady employed intelligent means , and [she]673-the lady carried out a conspiracy which required coolness and deliberation in its execution . There is no madness in that . " "[7130-mother] But the traits of hereditary insanity — " "[7130-mother] May descend to [the third generation]4175-the third generation , and appear in [[the lady]673-the lady 's children]4177-the lady 's children , if [she]673-the lady have any . Madness is not necessarily transmitted from [mother]7130-mother to [daughter]1473-daughter . [I]0-i should be glad to help [you]4180-you , if [I]0-i could , [Mr. Audley]173-robert , but [I]0-i do not think there is any proof of insanity in the story [you]4180-you have told [me]0-i . [I]0-i do not think [any jury in [England]7-england]4181-any jury in england would accept the plea of insanity in such a case as this . The best thing [you]4180-you can do with [this lady]2399-this lady is to send [her]2399-this lady back to [[her]2399-this lady first husband]4183-her first husband ; if [he]4183-her first husband will have [her]2399-this lady . " [Robert]173-robert started at this sudden mention of [[his]173-robert friend]4909-his friend . "[2399-this lady] [[Her]2399-this lady first husband]4183-her first husband is dead , " [he]173-robert answered , "[2399-this lady] at least , [he]4183-her first husband has been missing for some time — and [I]0-i have reason to believe that [he]4183-her first husband is dead . " [Dr. Mosgrave]345-dr. mosgrave saw the startled movement , and heard the embarrassment in [Robert Audley]173-robert 's voice as [he]345-dr. mosgrave spoke of [George Talboys]181-george talboys . "[0-i] [[The lady]673-the lady 's first husband]4186-the lady 's first husband is missing , " [he]345-dr. mosgrave said , with a strange emphasis on the word—"you[0-i] think that [he]4183-her first husband is dead ? " [He]345-dr. mosgrave paused for a few moments and looked at the fire , as [Robert]173-robert had looked before . "[173-robert] [Mr. Audley]173-robert , " [he]345-dr. mosgrave said , presently , "[173-robert] there must be no half - confidences between [us]4187-us . [You]173-robert have not told [me]0-i all . " [Robert]173-robert , looking up suddenly , plainly expressed in [his]173-robert face the surprise [he]173-robert felt at these words . "[173-robert] [I]0-i should be very poorly able to meet the contingencies of [my]0-i professional experience , " said [Dr. Mosgrave]345-dr. mosgrave , "[173-robert] if [I]0-i could not perceive where confidence ends and reservation begins . [You]173-robert have only told [me]0-i half [this lady]2399-this lady 's story , [Mr. Audley]173-robert . [You]173-robert must tell [me]0-i more before [I]0-i can offer [you]173-robert any advice . What has become of [the first husband]4189-the first husband ? " [He]0-i asked this question in a decisive tone , as if [he]0-i knew it to be the key - stone of an arch . "[0-i] [I]0-i have already told [you]0-i , [Dr. Mosgrave]345-dr. mosgrave , that [I]0-i do not know . " "[0-i] Yes , " answered [the physician]3070-the physician , "[0-i] but [your]173-robert face has told [me]0-i what [you]173-robert have withheld from [me]0-i ; it has told [me]0-i that [you]173-robert suspect . " [Robert Audley]173-robert was silent . "[173-robert] If [I]0-i am to be of use to [you]173-robert , [you]173-robert must trust [me]0-i , [Mr. Audley]173-robert , " said [the physician]3070-the physician . "[0-i] [The first husband]4189-the first husband disappeared — how and when ? [I]0-i want to know the history of [his]4189-the first husband disappearance . " [Robert]173-robert paused for some time before [he]173-robert replied to this speech ; but , by and by , [he]173-robert lifted [his]173-robert head , which had been bent in an attitude of earnest thought , and addressed [the physician]3070-the physician . "[0-i] [I]0-i will trust [you]173-robert , [Dr. Mosgrave]345-dr. mosgrave , " [he]0-i said . "[173-robert] [I]0-i will confide entirely in [your]173-robert honor and goodness . [I]0-i do not ask [you]173-robert to do any wrong to society ; but [I]0-i ask [you]173-robert to save [our]4191-our stainless name from degradation and shame , if [you]173-robert can do so conscientiously . " [He]0-i told the story of [George]181-george talboys 's disappearance , and of [his]0-i own doubts and fears , Heaven knows how reluctantly . [Dr. Mosgrave]345-dr. mosgrave listened as quietly as [he]345-dr. mosgrave had listened before . [Robert]173-robert concluded with an earnest appeal to [the physician]3070-the physician 's best feelings . [He]173-robert implored [him]3070-the physician to spare [the generous old man whose fatal confidence in [a wicked woman]3110-a wicked woman had brought much misery upon [his]0-i declining years]7925-the generous old man whose fatal confidence in a wicked woman had brought much misery upon his declining years . It was impossible to draw any conclusion , either favorable or otherwise , from [Dr. Mosgrave]345-dr. mosgrave 's attentive face . [He]0-i rose , when [Robert]173-robert had finished speaking , and looked at [his]0-i watch once more . "[0-i] [I]0-i can only spare [you]173-robert twenty minutes , " [he]0-i said . "[0-i] [I]0-i will see [the lady]673-the lady , if [you]173-robert please . [You]173-robert say [[her]673-the lady mother]891-her mother died in [a madhouse]7675-a madhouse ? " "[673-the lady] [She]673-the lady did . Will [you]173-robert see [Lady Audley]150-lady audley alone ? " "[173-robert] Yes , alone , if [you]173-robert please . " [Robert]173-robert rung for [[my]173-robert lady 's maid]7927-my lady 's maid , and under convoy of [that smart young damsel]7928-that smart young damsel [the physician]3070-the physician found [his]3070-the physician way to the octagon antechamber , and the fairy boudoir with which it communicated . Ten minutes afterward , [he]3070-the physician returned to [the library]5301-the library , in which [Robert]173-robert sat waiting for [him]3070-the physician . "[173-robert] [I]0-i have talked to [the lady]673-the lady , " [he]0-i said , quietly , "[0-i] and [we]4196-we understand [each other]4890-each other very well . There is latent insanity ! Insanity which might never appear ; or which might appear only once or twice in a lifetime . [It]4198-it would be a dementia in its worst phase , perhaps ; acute mania ; but its duration would be very brief , and it would only arise under extreme mental pressure . [The lady]673-the lady is not mad ; but [she]673-the lady has the hereditary taint in [her]673-the lady blood . [She]673-the lady has the cunning of madness , with the prudence of intelligence . [I]0-i will tell [you]0-i what [she]673-the lady is , [Mr. Audley]173-robert . [She]673-the lady is dangerous ! " [Dr. Mosgrave]345-dr. mosgrave walked up and down [the room]595-the room once or twice before [he]345-dr. mosgrave spoke again . "[0-i] [I]0-i will not discuss the probabilities of the suspicion which distresses [you]0-i , [Mr. Audley]173-robert , " [he]345-dr. mosgrave said , presently , "[173-robert] but [I]0-i will tell [you]0-i this much , [I]0-i do not advise any esclandre . [This Mr. George Talboys]157-george has disappeared , but [you]0-i have no evidence of [his]157-george death . If [you]0-i could produce evidence of [his]157-george death , [you]0-i could produce no evidence against [this lady]2399-this lady , beyond the one fact that [she]2399-this lady had a powerful motive for getting rid of [him]157-george . [No jury in [the United Kingdom]123-the united kingdom]4201-no jury in the united kingdom would condemn [her]2399-this lady upon such evidence as that . " [Robert Audley]173-robert interrupted [Dr. Mosgrave]345-dr. mosgrave , hastily . "[0-i] [I]0-i assure [you]0-i , [[my]0-i dear sir]929-my dear sir , " [he]0-i said , "[0-i] that [my]0-i greatest fear is the necessity of any exposure — any disgrace . " "[0-i] Certainly , [Mr. Audley]173-robert , " answered [the physician]3070-the physician , coolly , "[0-i] but [you]173-robert can not expect [me]0-i to assist [you]173-robert to condone one of the worst offenses against society . If [I]0-i saw adequate reason for believing that a murder had been committed by [this woman]557-this woman , [I]0-i should refuse to assist [you]173-robert in smuggling [her]557-this woman away out of the reach of justice , although the honor of [a hundred noble families]4204-a hundred noble families might be saved by [my]0-i doing so . But [I]0-i do not see adequate reason for [your]173-robert suspicions ; and [I]0-i will do [my]0-i best to help [you]173-robert . " [Robert Audley]173-robert grasped [the physician]3070-the physician 's hands in both [his]173-robert own . "[0-i] [I]0-i will thank [you]173-robert when [I]0-i am better able to do so , " [he]0-i said , with emotion ; "[0-i] [I]0-i will thank [you]173-robert in [[my]0-i uncle]991-my uncle 's name as well as in [my]0-i own . " "[0-i] [I]0-i have only five minutes more , and [I]0-i have a letter to write , " said [Dr. Mosgrave]345-dr. mosgrave , smiling at [the young man]667-the young man 's energy . [He]0-i seated [himself]0-i at a writing - table in the window , dipped [his]0-i pen in the ink , and wrote rapidly for about seven minutes . [He]0-i had filled three sides of a sheet of note - paper , when [he]0-i threw down [his]0-i pen and folded [his]0-i letter . [He]0-i put this letter into an envelope , and delivered it , unsealed , to [Robert Audley]173-robert . The address which it bore was : "[0-i] [Monsieur Val]348-monsieur val , " [Villebrumeuse]124-villebrumeuse , "[348-monsieur val] [Belgium]125-belgium . " [Mr. Audley]173-robert looked rather doubtfully from this address to [the doctor]7600-the doctor , who was putting on [his]0-i gloves as deliberately as if [his]0-i life had never known a more solemn purpose than the proper adjustment of them . "[348-monsieur val] That letter , " [he]0-i said , in answer to [Robert Audley]173-robert 's inquiring look , "[348-monsieur val] is written to [[my]0-i friend]836-my friend [Monsieur Val]348-monsieur val , [the proprietor and medical superintendent of [a very excellent maison de santé]4208-a very excellent maison de santé in [the town of Villebrumeuse]4209-the town of villebrumeuse]4207-the proprietor and medical superintendent of a very excellent maison de santé in the town of villebrumeuse . [We]4210-we have known [each other]4890-each other for many years , and [he]348-monsieur val will no doubt willingly receive [Lady Audley]150-lady audley into [[his]348-monsieur val establishment]2357-his establishment , and charge [himself]348-monsieur val with the full responsibility of [her]150-lady audley future life ; it will not be a very eventful one ! " [Robert Audley]173-robert would have spoken , [he]173-robert would have once more expressed [his]173-robert gratitude for the help which had been given to [him]173-robert , but [Dr. Mosgrave]345-dr. mosgrave checked [him]173-robert with an authoritative gesture . "[348-monsieur val] From the moment in which [Lady Audley]150-lady audley enters [that house]6322-that house , " [he]345-dr. mosgrave said , "[348-monsieur val] [her]150-lady audley life , so far as life is made up of action and variety , will be finished . Whatever secrets [she]150-lady audley may have will be secrets forever ! Whatever crimes [she]150-lady audley may have committed [she]150-lady audley will be able to commit no more . If [you]4214-you were to dig a grave for [her]150-lady audley in [the nearest churchyard]4215-the nearest churchyard and bury [her]150-lady audley alive in [it]4215-the nearest churchyard , [you]4214-you could not more safely shut [her]150-lady audley from [the world]519-the world and all worldly associations . But as [a physiologist]4217-a physiologist and as [an honest man]7714-an honest man , [I]0-i believe [you]4214-you could do no better service to [society]4219-society than by doing this ; for physiology is a lie if [the woman [I]0-i saw]4220-the woman i saw ten minutes ago is [a woman to be trusted at large]4221-a woman to be trusted at large . If [she]4220-the woman i saw could have sprung at [my]0-i throat and strangled [me]0-i with [her]4220-the woman i saw little hands , as [I]0-i sat talking to [her]4220-the woman i saw just now , [she]4220-the woman i saw would have done it . " "[4220-the woman i saw] [She]4220-the woman i saw suspected [your]0-i purpose , then ! " "[4220-the woman i saw] [She]4220-the woman i saw knew it . ' [You]0-i think [I]0-i am mad like [[my]0-i mother]4646-my mother , and [you]0-i have come to question [me]0-i , ' [she]4220-the woman i saw said . ' [You]0-i are watching for some sign of the dreadful taint in [my]0-i blood . ' Good - day to [you]0-i , [Mr. Audley]173-robert , " [the physician]3070-the physician added hurriedly , "[173-robert] [my]0-i time was up ten minutes ago ; it is as much as [I]0-i shall do to catch [the train]1957-the train . " [Robert Audley]173-robert sat alone in [the library]5301-the library with [the physician]3070-the physician 's letter upon the table before [him]173-robert , thinking of the work which was still to be done . [The young barrister]5094-the young barrister had constituted [himself]5094-the young barrister [the denouncer of [this wretched woman]7941-this wretched woman]7940-the denouncer of this wretched woman . [He]5094-the young barrister had been [[her]7941-this wretched woman judge]7942-her judge ; and [he]5094-the young barrister was now [[her]7941-this wretched woman jailer]7943-her jailer . Not until [he]5094-the young barrister had delivered the letter which lay before [him]5094-the young barrister to its proper address , not until [he]5094-the young barrister had given up [his]5094-the young barrister charge into the safe - keeping of [the foreign mad - house doctor]7944-the foreign mad - house doctor , not until then would the dreadful burden be removed from [him]5094-the young barrister and [his]5094-the young barrister duty done . [He]5094-the young barrister wrote a few lines to [[my]4220-the woman i saw lady]468-my lady , telling [her]468-my lady that [he]5094-the young barrister was going to carry [her]468-my lady away from [Audley Court]1-audley court to [a place from which [she]468-my lady was not likely to return , and requesting [her]468-my lady to lose no time in preparing for the journey]7946-a place from which she was not likely to return , and requesting her to lose no time in preparing for the journey . [He]5094-the young barrister wished to start that evening , if possible , [he]5094-the young barrister told [her]468-my lady . [Miss Susan Martin]349-miss susan martin , [[the lady]673-the lady 's maid]1504-the lady 's maid , thought it a very hard thing to have to pack [[her]349-miss susan martin mistress]1497-her mistress ' trunks in such a hurry , but [[my]4220-the woman i saw lady]468-my lady assisted in the task . [She]468-my lady toiled resolutely in directing and assisting [[her]468-my lady servant]7951-her servant , who scented bankruptcy and ruin in all this packing up and hurrying away , and was therefore rather languid and indifferent in the discharge of [her]468-my lady duties ; and at six o'clock in the evening [she]468-my lady sent [[her]468-my lady attendant]3788-her attendant to tell [Mr. Audley]173-robert that [she]468-my lady was ready to depart as soon as [he]173-robert pleased . [Robert]173-robert had consulted a volume of Bradshaw , and had discovered that [Villebrumeuse]124-villebrumeuse lay out of the track of all railway traffic , and was only approachable by diligence from [Brussels]126-brussels . The mail for [Dover]127-dover left [London Bridge]128-london bridge at nine o'clock , and could be easily caught by [Robert]173-robert and [his]173-robert charge , as [the seven o'clock up - train from [Audley]150-lady audley]7953-the seven o'clock up - train from audley reached [Shoreditch]70-shoreditch at a quarter past eight . Traveling by [the [Dover]127-dover and [Calais]129-calais route]7954-the dover and calais route , [they]7953-the seven o'clock up - train from audley would reach [Villebrumeuse]124-villebrumeuse by the following afternoon or evening . It was late in the afternoon of the next day when the diligence bumped and rattled over [the uneven paving of [the principal street]7956-the principal street in [Villebrumeuse]124-villebrumeuse]7955-the uneven paving of the principal street in villebrumeuse . [Robert Audley]173-robert and [[my]4220-the woman i saw lady]468-my lady had had the coupé of the diligence to [themselves]7953-the seven o'clock up - train from audley for the whole of the journey , for there were not many [travelers]6772-travelers between [Brussels]126-brussels and [Villebrumeuse]124-villebrumeuse , and the public conveyance was supported by the force of tradition rather than any great profit attaching to it as a speculation . [[My]4220-the woman i saw lady]468-my lady had not spoken during the journey , except to decline some refreshments which [Robert]173-robert had offered [her]468-my lady at [a halting place upon [the road]1231-the road]7960-a halting place upon the road . [Her]468-my lady heart sunk when [they]7953-the seven o'clock up - train from audley left [Brussels]126-brussels behind , for [she]468-my lady had hoped [that city]7962-that city might have been the end of [her]468-my lady journey , and [she]468-my lady had turned with a feeling of sickness and despair from [the dull [Belgian]130-belgian landscape]7963-the dull belgian landscape . [She]468-my lady looked up at last as [the vehicle]1673-the vehicle jolted into [a great stony quadrangle]7965-a great stony quadrangle , which had been the approach to [a monastery]7966-a monastery once , but which was now [the court yard of [a dismal hotel]7968-a dismal hotel]7967-the court yard of a dismal hotel , in whose [cellars legions of rats skirmished and squeaked even while the broad sunshine was bright in the chambers above]7969-cellars legions of rats skirmished and squeaked even while the broad sunshine was bright in the chambers above . [Lady Audley]150-lady audley shuddered as [she]150-lady audley alighted from the diligence , and found [herself]150-lady audley in [that dreary court yard]7970-that dreary court yard . [Robert]173-robert was surrounded by [chattering porters]7971-chattering porters , who clamored for [his]173-robert "[4220-the woman i saw] baggages , " and disputed among [themselves]7971-chattering porters as to [the hotel at which [he]173-robert was to rest]7972-the hotel at which he was to rest . [One of [these men]4714-these men]7973-one of these men ran away to fetch [a hackney - coach]7975-a hackney - coach at [[Mr. Audley]173-robert 's behest]7976-mr. audley 's behest , and reappeared presently , urging on a pair of horses — which were so small as to suggest the idea that [they]4714-these men had been made out of one ordinary - sized animal — with wild shrieks and whoops that had a demoniac sound in the darkness . [Mr. Audley]173-robert left [[my]4224-my lady]468-my lady in [a dreary coffee - room]7978-a dreary coffee - room in the care of [a drowsy attendant]7979-a drowsy attendant while [he]173-robert drove away to [some distant part of [the quiet city]7981-the quiet city]7980-some distant part of the quiet city . There was official business to be gone through before [[Sir Michael]146-sir michael 's wife]6544-sir michael 's wife could be quietly put away in the place suggested by [Dr. Mosgrave]345-dr. mosgrave . [Robert]173-robert had to see all manner of [important personages]7983-important personages ; and to take numerous oaths ; and to exhibit [the English physician]7984-the english physician 's letter ; and to go through much ceremony of signing and countersigning before [he]173-robert could take [[his]173-robert lost friend 's cruel wife]7985-his lost friend 's cruel wife to [the home which was to be [her]7985-his lost friend 's cruel wife last upon earth]7986-the home which was to be her last upon earth . Upward of two hours elapsed before all this was arranged , and [the young man]667-the young man was free to return to [the hotel]4975-the hotel , where [he]173-robert found [his]173-robert charge staring absently at a pair of wax - candles , with a cup of untasted coffee standing cold and stagnant before [her]7985-his lost friend 's cruel wife . [Robert]173-robert handed [[my]4224-my lady]468-my lady into [the hired vehicle]7990-the hired vehicle , and took [his]173-robert seat opposite to [her]468-my lady once more . "[4224-my] Where are [you]4224-my going to take [me]0-i ? " [she]468-my lady asked , at last . "[4224-my] [I]0-i am tired of being treated like [some naughty child]4225-some naughty child , who is put into [a dark cellar]4226-a dark cellar as a punishment for its offenses . Where are [you]4224-my taking [me]0-i ? " "[4224-my] To a place in which [you]0-i will have ample leisure to repent the past , [Mrs. Talboys]181-george talboys , " [Robert]173-robert answered , gravely . [They]7991-they had left [the paved streets]7992-the paved streets behind [them]7991-they , and had emerged out of [a great gaunt square]7993-a great gaunt square , in which there appeared to be about half [a dozen cathedrals]7994-a dozen cathedrals , into [a small boulevard]7995-a small boulevard , [a broad lamp - lit road]7996-a broad lamp - lit road , on which the shadows of the leafless branches went and came tremblingly , like the shadows of a paralytic skeleton . There were [houses]1329-houses here and there upon [this boulevard]7998-this boulevard ; [stately houses]7999-stately houses , entre cour et jardin , and with plaster vases of geraniums on the stone pillars of the ponderous gateways . [The rumbling hackney - carriage]8000-the rumbling hackney - carriage drove upward of three - quarters of a mile along [this smooth roadway]8001-this smooth roadway before [it]8000-the rumbling hackney - carriage drew up against a gateway , older and more ponderous than any of those [they]7991-they had passed . [[My]181-george talboys lady]468-my lady gave a little scream as [she]468-my lady looked out of the coach - window . [The gaunt gateway]8003-the gaunt gateway was lighted by an enormous lamp ; a great structure of iron and glass , in which one poor little shivering flame struggled with the March wind . [The coachman]8004-the coachman rang the bell , and a little wooden door at the side of the gate was opened by [a gray - haired man , who looked out at [the carriage]5171-the carriage , and then retired]8005-a gray - haired man , who looked out at the carriage , and then retired . [He]8004-the coachman reappeared three minutes afterward behind the folding iron gates , which [he]8004-the coachman unlocked and threw back to their full extent , revealing [a dreary desert of stone - paved courtyard]8007-a dreary desert of stone - paved courtyard . [The coachman]8004-the coachman led [his]8004-the coachman wretched horses into [the courtyard]7453-the courtyard , and piloted [the vehicle]1673-the vehicle to [the principal doorway of [the house]388-the house]8011-the principal doorway of the house , [a great mansion of gray stone , with [several long ranges of windows , many of which were dimly lighted]8014-several long ranges of windows , many of which were dimly lighted , and looked out like the pale eyes of [weary watchers upon the darkness of the night]8015-weary watchers upon the darkness of the night]8013-a great mansion of gray stone , with several long ranges of windows , many of which were dimly lighted , and looked out like the pale eyes of weary watchers upon the darkness of the night . [[My]181-george talboys lady]468-my lady , watchful and quiet as the cold stars in the wintry sky , looked up at these casements with an earnest and scrutinizing gaze . One of the windows was shrouded by a scanty curtain of faded red ; and upon this curtain there went and came a dark shadow , the shadow of [a woman with a fantastic head dress , the shadow of a restless creature , who paced perpetually backward and forward before the window]8017-a woman with a fantastic head dress , the shadow of a restless creature , who paced perpetually backward and forward before the window . [[Sir Michael Audley]146-sir michael 's wicked wife]8018-sir michael audley 's wicked wife laid [her]8018-sir michael audley 's wicked wife hand suddenly upon [Robert]173-robert 's arm , and pointed with the other hand to this curtained window . "[181-george talboys] [I]0-i know where [you]4227-you have brought [me]0-i , " [she]8018-sir michael audley 's wicked wife said . "[0-i] This is [a MAD - HOUSE]3187-a mad - house . " [Mr. Audley]173-robert did not answer [her]8018-sir michael audley 's wicked wife . [He]173-robert had been standing at the door of [the coach]8019-the coach when [she]8018-sir michael audley 's wicked wife addressed [him]173-robert , and [he]173-robert quietly assisted [her]8018-sir michael audley 's wicked wife to alight , and led [her]8018-sir michael audley 's wicked wife up a couple of shallow stone steps , and into [the entrance - hall of [the mansion]8021-the mansion]8020-the entrance - hall of the mansion . [He]173-robert handed [Dr. Mosgrave]345-dr. mosgrave 's letter to [a neatly - dressed , cheerful - looking , middle - aged woman , who came tripping out of a little chamber which opened out of [the hall]804-the hall , and was very much like [the bureau of [an hotel]8025-an hotel]8024-the bureau of an hotel]8022-a neatly - dressed , cheerful - looking , middle - aged woman , who came tripping out of a little chamber which opened out of the hall , and was very much like the bureau of an hotel . [This person]5546-this person smilingly welcome [Robert]173-robert and [[his]173-robert charge]8027-his charge : and after dispatching [a servant with the letter]8028-a servant with the letter , invited [them]8029-them into [[her]5546-this person pleasant little apartment , which was gayly furnished with bright amber curtains and heated by a tiny stove]8030-her pleasant little apartment , which was gayly furnished with bright amber curtains and heated by a tiny stove . "[2752-madam] [Madam]2752-madam finds [herself]2752-madam very much fatigued ? " [the Frenchwoman]8031-the frenchwoman said , interrogatively , with a look of intense sympathy , as [she]8031-the frenchwoman placed an arm - chair for [[my]2752-madam lady]468-my lady . "[2752-madam] [Madam]2752-madam " shrugged [her]2752-madam shoulders wearily , and looked round [the little chamber]8033-the little chamber with a sharp glance of scrutiny that betokened no very great favor . "[2752-madam] WHAT is [this place]5298-this place , [Robert Audley]173-robert ? " [she]8031-the frenchwoman cried fiercely . "[173-robert] Do [you]173-robert think [I]0-i am [a baby]4838-a baby , that [you]173-robert may juggle with and deceive [me]0-i — what is it ? It is what [I]0-i said just now , is it not ? " "[0-i] It is [a maison de santé]4233-a maison de santé , [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , " [the young man]667-the young man answered , gravely . "[0-i] [I]0-i have no wish to juggle with or to deceive [you]468-my lady . " [[My]0-i lady]468-my lady paused for a few moments , looking reflectively at [Robert]173-robert . "[0-i] [A maison de santé]4233-a maison de santé , " [she]468-my lady repeated . "[0-i] Yes , [they]4236-they manage these things better in [France]110-france . In [England]7-england [we]4237-we should call it [a madhouse]7675-a madhouse . [This a house for [mad people]3336-mad people]4239-this a house for mad people , this , is it not , [madam]2752-madam ? " [she]468-my lady said in French , turning upon [the woman]5008-the woman , and tapping the polished floor with [her]468-my lady foot . "[2752-madam] Ah , but no , [madam]2752-madam , " [the woman]5008-the woman answered with a shrill scream of protest . "[2752-madam] It is [an establishment of the most agreeable , where [one]5487-one amuses [one]5487-one 's self]4243-an establishment of the most agreeable , where one amuses one 's self — " [She]5008-the woman was interrupted by the entrance of [the principal of [this agreeable establishment]8039-this agreeable establishment]8038-the principal of this agreeable establishment , who came beaming into [the room]595-the room with a radiant smile illuminating [his]8038-the principal of this agreeable establishment countenance , and with [Dr. Mosgrave]345-dr. mosgrave 's letter open in [his]8038-the principal of this agreeable establishment hand . It was impossible to say how enchanted [he]8038-the principal of this agreeable establishment was to make the acquaintance of [M'sieu]350-m'sieu . There was nothing upon [earth]1036-earth which [he]8038-the principal of this agreeable establishment was not ready to do for [M'sieu]350-m'sieu in [[his]8038-the principal of this agreeable establishment own person]2332-his own person , and nothing under heaven which [he]8038-the principal of this agreeable establishment would not strive to accomplish for [him]8038-the principal of this agreeable establishment , as [the friend of [his]8038-the principal of this agreeable establishment acquaintance]8043-the friend of his acquaintance , so very much distinguished , [the English doctor]8044-the english doctor . [Dr. Mosgrave]345-dr. mosgrave 's letter had given [him]8038-the principal of this agreeable establishment a brief synopsis of the case , [he]345-dr. mosgrave informed [Robert]173-robert , in an undertone , and [he]8038-the principal of this agreeable establishment was quite prepared to undertake the care of [the charming and very interesting "[5487-one] Madam — Madam]8045-the charming and very interesting " madam — madam — " [He]8038-the principal of this agreeable establishment rubbed [his]8038-the principal of this agreeable establishment hands politely , and looked at [Robert]173-robert . [Mr. Audley]173-robert remembered , for the first time , that [he]173-robert had been recommended to introduce [his]173-robert wretched charge under a feigned name . [He]173-robert affected not to hear [the proprietor]1605-the proprietor 's question . It might seem a very easy matter to have hit upon a heap of names , any one of which would have answered [his]173-robert purpose ; but [Mr. Audley]173-robert appeared suddenly to have forgotten that [he]173-robert had ever heard any mortal appellation except that of [himself]173-robert and of [[his]173-robert lost friend]2029-his lost friend . Perhaps [the proprietor]1605-the proprietor perceived and understood [his]173-robert embarrassment . [He]8038-the principal of this agreeable establishment at any rate relieved it by turning to [the woman who had received [them]8050-them]8049-the woman who had received them , and muttering something about No . 14 , [Bis]351-bis . [The woman]5008-the woman took a key from [a long range of others , that hung over the mantel - piece]8052-a long range of others , that hung over the mantel - piece , and a wax candle from a bracket in a corner of [the room]595-the room , and having lighted the candle , led the way across [the stone - paved hall]8054-the stone - paved hall , and up [a broad , slippery staircase of polished wood]8055-a broad , slippery staircase of polished wood . [The English physician]7984-the english physician had informed [[his]7984-the english physician Belgian colleague]8057-his belgian colleague that money would be of minor consequence in any arrangements made for the comfort of [the English lady who was to be committed to [his]7984-the english physician care]8058-the english lady who was to be committed to his care . Acting upon this hint , [Monsieur Val]348-monsieur val opened the outer door of [a stately suite of apartments]8059-a stately suite of apartments , which included [a lobby , paved with alternate diamonds of black and white marble]8060-a lobby , paved with alternate diamonds of black and white marble , but of a dismal and cellar - like darkness ; [a saloon]8061-a saloon furnished with gloomy velvet draperies , and with a certain funereal splendor which is not peculiarly conducive to the elevation of the spirits ; and a bed - chamber , containing a bed so wondrously made , as to appear to have no opening whatever in its coverings , unless the counterpane had been split asunder with a pen - knife . [[My]5487-one lady]468-my lady stared dismally round at [the range of rooms]8063-the range of rooms , which looked dreary enough in the wan light of a single wax - candle . This solitary flame , pale and ghost - like in itself , was multiplied by paler phantoms of its ghostliness , which glimmered everywhere about [the rooms]803-the rooms ; in the shadowy depths of the polished floors and wainscot , or the window - panes , in the looking - glasses , or in those great expanses of glimmering something which adorned [the rooms]803-the rooms , and which [[my]5487-one lady]468-my lady mistook for costly mirrors , but which were in reality wretched mockeries of burnished tin . Amid all the faded splendor of shabby velvet , and tarnished gilding , and polished wood , [the woman]5008-the woman dropped into an arm - chair , and covered [her]5008-the woman face with [her]5008-the woman hands . The whiteness of them , and the starry light of diamonds trembling about them , glittered in [the dimly - lighted chamber]8068-the dimly - lighted chamber . [She]5008-the woman sat silent , motionless , despairing , sullen , and angry , while [Robert]173-robert and [the French doctor]8069-the french doctor retired to [an outer chamber]8070-an outer chamber , and talked together in undertones . [Mr. Audley]173-robert had very little to say that had not been already said for [him]173-robert , with a far better grace than [he]173-robert [himself]173-robert could have expressed it , by [the English physician]7984-the english physician . [He]173-robert had , after great trouble of mind , hit upon the name of [Taylor]352-madame taylor , as a safe and simple substitute for that other name , to which alone [[my]5487-one lady]468-my lady had a right . [He]173-robert told [the Frenchman]8073-the frenchman that [this Mrs. Taylor]353-this mrs. taylor was distantly related to [him]173-robert — that [she]353-this mrs. taylor had inherited the seeds of madness from [[her]353-this mrs. taylor mother]891-her mother , as indeed [Dr. Mosgrave]345-dr. mosgrave had informed [Monsieur Val]348-monsieur val ; and that [she]353-this mrs. taylor had shown some fearful tokens of the lurking taint that was latent in [her]353-this mrs. taylor mind ; but that [she]353-this mrs. taylor was not to be called "[5487-one] mad . " [He]173-robert begged that [she]353-this mrs. taylor might be treated with all tenderness and compassion ; that [she]353-this mrs. taylor might receive all reasonable indulgences ; but [he]173-robert impressed upon [Monsieur Val]348-monsieur val , that under no circumstances was [she]353-this mrs. taylor to be permitted to leave [the house]388-the house and [grounds]8076-grounds without the protection of [some reliable person , who should be answerable for [her]353-this mrs. taylor safe - keeping]8077-some reliable person , who should be answerable for her safe - keeping . [He]173-robert had only one other point to urge , and that was , that [Monsieur Val]348-monsieur val , who , as [he]173-robert had understood , was [himself]348-monsieur val [a Protestant]8078-a protestant — [the doctor]7600-the doctor bowed — would make arrangements with [some kind and benevolent Protestant clergyman]8080-some kind and benevolent protestant clergyman , through whom spiritual advice and consolation might be secured for [the invalid lady]8081-the invalid lady ; who had especial need , [Robert]173-robert added , gravely , of such advantages . This — with all necessary arrangements as to pecuniary matters , which were to be settled from time to time between [Mr. Audley]173-robert and [the doctor]7600-the doctor , unassisted by [any agents]8083-any agents whatever — was the extent of the conversation between [the two men]6556-the two men , and occupied about a quarter of an hour . [[My]4246-your lady]468-my lady sat in the same attitude when [they]6556-the two men re - entered [the bedchamber in which [they]6556-the two men had left [her]468-my lady]8086-the bedchamber in which they had left her , with [her]468-my lady ringed hands still clasped over [her]468-my lady face . [Robert]173-robert bent over to whisper in [her]468-my lady ear . "[4246-your] [Your]4246-your name is [Madam Taylor]354-madam taylor [here]4776-here , " [he]173-robert said . "[354-madam taylor] [I]0-i do not think [you]4246-your would wish to be known by [your]4246-your real name . " [She]468-my lady only shook [her]468-my lady head in answer to [him]173-robert , and did not even remove [her]468-my lady hands from over [her]468-my lady face . "[2752-madam] [Madam]2752-madam will have [an attendant]4249-an attendant entirely devoted to [her]2752-madam service . " said [Monsieur Val]348-monsieur val . "[4249-an attendant] [Madam]2752-madam will have all [her]2752-madam wishes obeyed ; [her]2752-madam reasonable wishes , but that goes without saying , " [monsieur]8087-monsieur adds , with a quaint shrug . "[2752-madam] Every effort will be made to render [madam]2752-madam 's sojourn at [Villebrumeuse]124-villebrumeuse agreeable . [The inmates]4252-the inmates dine together when it is wished . [I]0-i dine with [the inmates]4252-the inmates sometimes ; [[my]0-i subordinate]4254-my subordinate , [a clever and a worthy man]4255-a clever and a worthy man always . [I]0-i reside with [[my]0-i wife]711-my wife and [children]5631-children in [a little pavilion in [the grounds]5571-the grounds]4258-a little pavilion in the grounds ; [[my]0-i subordinate]4254-my subordinate resides in [the establishment]4261-the establishment . [Madam]2752-madam may rely upon [our]4263-our utmost efforts being exerted to insure [her]2752-madam comfort . " [Monsieur]8088-monsieur is saying a great deal more to the same effect , rubbing [his]8088-monsieur hands and beaming radiantly upon [Robert]173-robert and [[his]8088-monsieur charge]8027-his charge , when [madam]2752-madam rises suddenly , erect and furious , and dropping [her]2752-madam jeweled fingers from before [her]2752-madam face , tells [him]8088-monsieur to hold [his]8088-monsieur tongue . "[4254-my subordinate] Leave [me]0-i alone with [the man who has brought [me]0-i [here]4776-here]4264-the man who has brought me here . " [she]2752-madam cried , between [her]2752-madam set teeth . "[4254-my subordinate] Leave [me]0-i ! " [She]2752-madam points to the door with a sharp , imperious gesture ; so rapid that the silken drapery about [her]2752-madam arm makes a swooping sound as [she]2752-madam lifts [her]2752-madam hand . The sibilant French syllables hiss through [her]2752-madam teeth as [she]2752-madam utters them , and seem better fitted to [her]2752-madam mood and to [herself]2752-madam than the familiar English [she]2752-madam has spoken hitherto . [The French doctor]8069-the french doctor shrugs [his]8069-the french doctor shoulders as [he]8069-the french doctor goes out into [the lobby]8092-the lobby , and mutters something about a "[4254-my subordinate] beautiful devil , " and a gesture worthy of "[355-the mars] [the Mars]355-the mars . " [[My]355-the mars lady]468-my lady walked with a rapid footstep to the door between [the bed - chamber]8094-the bed - chamber and [the saloon]8095-the saloon ; closed it , and with the handle of the door still in [her]468-my lady hand , turned and looked at [Robert Audley]173-robert . "[355-the mars] [You]4266-you have brought [me]0-i to [[my]0-i grave]4267-my grave , [Mr. Audley]173-robert , " [she]468-my lady cried ; "[4266-you] [you]4266-you have used [your]4266-you power basely and cruelly , and have brought [me]0-i to [a living grave]4268-a living grave . " "[4266-you] [I]0-i have done that which [I]0-i thought just to [others]5097-others and merciful to [you]0-i , " [Robert]173-robert answered , quietly . "[0-i] [I]0-i should have been [a traitor to society]4270-a traitor to society had [I]0-i suffered [you]0-i to remain at liberty after — the disappearance of [George Talboys]181-george talboys and the fire at [Castle Inn]54-the castle inn . [I]0-i have brought [you]0-i to a place in which [you]0-i will be kindly treated by [people who have no knowledge of [your]0-i story]4271-people who have no knowledge of your story — no power to taunt or to reproach [you]0-i . [You]0-i will lead a quiet and peaceful life , [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady ; such a life as [many a good and holy woman in [this Catholic country]4274-this catholic country]4273-many a good and holy woman in this catholic country freely takes upon [herself]4273-many a good and holy woman in this catholic country , and happily endures until the end . The solitude of [your]0-i existence in [this place]5298-this place will be no greater than that of [[a king]4276-a king 's daughter]4277-a king 's daughter , who , flying from the evil of the time , was glad to take shelter in [a house as tranquil as this]4278-a house as tranquil as this . Surely , it is a small atonement which [I]0-i ask [you]0-i to render for [your]0-i sins , a light penance which [I]0-i call upon [you]0-i to perform . Live here and repent ; [nobody]566-nobody will assail [you]0-i , [nobody]566-nobody will torment [you]0-i . [I]0-i only say to [you]0-i , repent ! " "[0-i] [I]0-i can not ! " cried [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , pushing [her]468-my lady hair fiercely from [her]468-my lady white forehead , and fixing [her]468-my lady dilated eyes upon [Robert Audley]173-robert , "[0-i] [I]0-i can not ! Has [my]0-i beauty brought [me]0-i to this ? Have [I]0-i plotted and schemed to shield [myself]0-i and laid awake in the long deadly nights , trembling to think of [my]0-i dangers , for this ? [I]0-i had better have given up at once , since this was to be the end . [I]0-i had better have yielded to the curse that was upon [me]0-i , and given up when [George Talboys]181-george talboys first came back to [England]7-england . " [She]468-my lady plucked at the feathery golden curls as if [she]468-my lady would have torn them from [her]468-my lady head . It had served [her]468-my lady so little after all , that gloriously glittering hair , that beautiful nimbus of yellow light that had contrasted so exquisitely with the melting azure of [her]468-my lady eyes . [She]468-my lady hated [herself]468-my lady and [her]468-my lady beauty . "[0-i] [I]0-i would laugh at [you]4281-you and defy [you]4281-you , if [I]0-i dared , " [she]468-my lady cried ; "[0-i] [I]0-i would kill [myself]0-i and defy [you]4281-you , if [I]0-i dared . But [I]0-i am [a poor , pitiful coward]4282-a poor , pitiful coward , and have been so from the first . Afraid of [[my]0-i mother]4646-my mother 's horrible inheritance ; afraid of poverty ; afraid of [George Talboys]181-george talboys ; afraid of [you]4281-you . " [She]468-my lady was silent for a little while , but [she]468-my lady held [her]468-my lady place by the door , as if determined to detain [Robert]173-robert as long as it was [her]468-my lady pleasure to do so . "[4281-you] Do [you]4281-you know what [I]0-i am thinking of ? " [she]468-my lady said , presently . "[4281-you] Do [you]4281-you know what [I]0-i am thinking of , as [I]0-i look at [you]4281-you in the dim light of [this room]5247-this room ? [I]0-i am thinking of the day upon which [George Talboys]181-george talboys disappeared . " [Robert]173-robert started as [she]468-my lady mentioned the name of [[his]173-robert lost friend]2029-his lost friend ; [his]173-robert face turned pale in the dusky light , and [his]173-robert breathing grew quicker and louder . "[4285-he] [He]4285-he was standing opposite [me]0-i , as [you]4281-you are standing now , " continued [[my]4285-he lady]468-my lady . "[4285-he] [You]4281-you said that [you]4281-you would raze [the old house]2590-the old house to the ground ; that [you]4281-you would root up every tree in [the gardens]414-the gardens to find [[your]4281-you dead friend]4288-your dead friend . [You]4281-you would have had no need to do so much : the body of [George Talboys]181-george talboys lies at the bottom of [the old well]742-the old well , in the shrubbery beyond [the lime - walk]5297-the lime - walk . " [Robert Audley]173-robert flung [his]173-robert hands and clasped them above [his]173-robert head , with one loud cry of horror . "[181-george talboys] Oh , [[my]0-i God]5536-my god ! " [he]173-robert said , after a dreadful pause ; "[181-george talboys] have all the ghastly things that [I]0-i have thought prepared [me]0-i so little for the ghastly truth , that it should come upon [me]0-i like this at last ? " "[4288-your dead friend] [He]4288-your dead friend came to [me]0-i in [the lime - walk]5297-the lime - walk , " resumed [[my]4288-your dead friend lady]468-my lady , in the same hard , dogged tone as that in which [she]468-my lady had confessed the wicked story of [her]468-my lady life . "[4288-your dead friend] [I]0-i knew that [he]4288-your dead friend would come , and [I]0-i had prepared [myself]0-i , as well as [I]0-i could , to meet [him]4288-your dead friend . [I]0-i was determined to bribe [him]4288-your dead friend , to cajole [him]4288-your dead friend , to defy [him]4288-your dead friend ; to do anything sooner than abandon the wealth and the position [I]0-i had won , and go back to [my]0-i old life . [He]4288-your dead friend came , and [he]4288-your dead friend reproached [me]0-i for the conspiracy at [Ventnor]26-ventnor . [He]4288-your dead friend declared that so long as [he]4288-your dead friend lived [he]4288-your dead friend would never forgive [me]0-i for the lie that had broken [his]4288-your dead friend heart . [He]4288-your dead friend told [me]0-i that [I]0-i had plucked [his]4288-your dead friend heart out of [his]4288-your dead friend breast and trampled upon it ; and that [he]4288-your dead friend had now no heart in which to feel one sentiment of mercy for [me]0-i . That [he]4288-your dead friend would have forgiven [me]0-i any wrong upon earth , but that one deliberate and passionless wrong that [I]0-i had done [him]4288-your dead friend . [He]4288-your dead friend said this and a great deal more , and [he]4288-your dead friend told [me]0-i that no power on [earth]1036-earth should turn [him]4288-your dead friend from [his]4288-your dead friend purpose , which was to take [me]0-i to [the man [I]0-i had deceived , and make [me]0-i tell [my]0-i wicked story]4294-the man i had deceived , and make me tell my wicked story . [He]4288-your dead friend did not know the hidden taint that [I]0-i had sucked in with [[my]0-i mother]4646-my mother 's milk . [He]4288-your dead friend did not know that it was possible to drive [me]0-i mad . [He]4288-your dead friend goaded [me]0-i as [you]4296-you have goaded [me]0-i ; [he]4288-your dead friend was as merciless as [you]4296-you have been merciless . [We]4297-we were in the shrubbery at the end of [the lime - walk]5297-the lime - walk . [I]0-i was seated upon the broken masonry at the mouth of the well . [George Talboys]181-george talboys was leaning upon the disused windlass , in which the rusty iron spindle rattled loosely whenever [he]4288-your dead friend shifted [his]4288-your dead friend position . [I]0-i rose at last , and turned upon [him]4288-your dead friend to defy [him]4288-your dead friend , as [I]0-i had determined to defy [him]4288-your dead friend at the worst . [I]0-i told [him]4288-your dead friend that if [he]4288-your dead friend denounced [me]0-i to [Sir Michael]146-sir michael , [I]0-i would declare [him]4288-your dead friend to be [a madman]3356-a madman or [a liar]4300-a liar , and [I]0-i defied [him]4288-your dead friend to convince [the man who loved [me]0-i]4301-the man who loved me — blindly , as [I]0-i told [him]4288-your dead friend — that [he]4288-your dead friend had any claim to [me]0-i . [I]0-i was going to leave [him]4288-your dead friend after having told [him]4288-your dead friend this , when [he]4288-your dead friend caught [me]0-i by the wrist and detained [me]0-i by force . [You]4302-she saw the bruises that [his]4288-your dead friend fingers made upon [my]0-i wrist , and noticed them , and did not believe the account [I]0-i gave of them . [I]0-i could see that , [Mr. Robert Audley]173-robert , and [I]0-i saw that [you]173-robert were [a person [I]0-i should have to fear]4303-a person i should have to fear . " [She]4302-she paused , as if [she]4302-she had expected [Robert]173-robert to speak ; but [he]173-robert stood silent and motionless , waiting for the end . "[4303-a person i should have to fear] [George Talboys]181-george talboys treated [me]0-i as [you]173-robert treated [me]0-i , " [she]4302-she said , petulantly . "[4288-your dead friend] [He]4288-your dead friend swore that if there was but one witness of [my]0-i identity , and [that witness]4304-that witness was removed from [Audley Court]1-audley court by [the width of [the whole earth]4306-the whole earth]4305-the width of the whole earth , [he]4288-your dead friend would bring [him]4304-that witness there to swear to [my]0-i identity , and to denounce [me]0-i . It was then that [I]0-i was mad , it was then that [I]0-i drew the loose iron spindle from the shrunken wood , and saw [[my]0-i first husband]4307-my first husband sink with one horrible cry into the black mouth of the well . There is a legend of its enormous depth . [I]0-i do not know how deep it is . It is dry , [I]0-i suppose , for [I]0-i heard no splash , only a dull thud . [I]0-i looked down and [I]0-i saw nothing but black emptiness . [I]0-i knelt down and listened , but the cry was not repeated , though [I]0-i waited for nearly a quarter of an hour — God knows how long it seemed to [me!—by]4308-me!—by the mouth of the well . " [Robert Audley]173-robert uttered a word of horror when the story was finished . [He]173-robert moved a little nearer toward the door against which [Helen Talboys]179-helen talboys stood . Had there been any other means of exit from [the room]595-the room , [he]173-robert would gladly have availed [himself]173-robert of it . [He]173-robert shrank from even a momentary contact with [this creature]8101-this creature . "[4308-me!—by] Let [me]0-i pass [you]4309-you , if [you]4309-you please , " [he]173-robert said , in an icy voice . "[4309-you] [You]4309-you see [I]0-i do not fear to make [my]0-i confession to [you]4309-you , " said [Helen Talboys]179-helen talboys ; "[0-i] for two reasons . The first is , that [you]4309-you dare not use it against [me]0-i , because [you]4309-you know it would kill [[your]4309-you uncle]1016-your uncle to see [me]0-i in [a criminal dock]3180-a criminal dock ; the second is , that the law could pronounce no worse sentence than this — a life - long imprisonment in [a mad - house]3187-a mad - house . [You]4309-you see [I]0-i do not thank [you]4309-you for [your]4309-you mercy , [Mr. Robert Audley]173-robert , for [I]0-i know exactly what it is worth . " [She]179-helen talboys moved away from the door , and [Robert]173-robert passed [her]179-helen talboys without a word , without a look . Half an hour afterward [he]173-robert was in [one of [the principal hotels at [Villebrumeuse]124-villebrumeuse]8103-the principal hotels at villebrumeuse]8102-one of the principal hotels at villebrumeuse , sitting at a neatly - ordered supper - table , with no power to eat ; with no power to distract [his]173-robert mind , even for a moment , from the image of [that lost friend who had been treacherously murdered in the thicket at [Audley Court]1-audley court]8104-that lost friend who had been treacherously murdered in the thicket at audley court . [No feverish sleeper traveling in a strange dream]8105-no feverish sleeper traveling in a strange dream ever looked out more wonderingly upon a world that seemed unreal than [Robert Audley]173-robert , as [he]173-robert stared absently at [the flat swamps and dismal poplars between [Villebrumeuse]124-villebrumeuse and [Brussels]126-brussels]8106-the flat swamps and dismal poplars between villebrumeuse and brussels . Could it be that [he]173-robert was returning to [[[his]173-robert uncle]4872-his uncle 's house]1245-his uncle 's house without [the woman who had reigned in [it]1245-his uncle 's house for nearly two years as [queen]8110-queen and [mistress]5228-mistress]8109-the woman who had reigned in it for nearly two years as queen and mistress ? [He]173-robert felt as if [he]173-robert had carried off [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady , and had made away with [her]468-my lady secretly and darkly , and must now render up an account to [Sir Michael]146-sir michael of the fate of [that woman]6093-that woman , whom [the baronet]465-the baronet had so dearly loved . "[0-i] What shall [I]0-i tell [him]4313-his ? " [he]173-robert thought . "[0-i] Shall [I]0-i tell the truth — the horrible , ghastly truth ? No ; that would be too cruel . [His]4313-his generous spirit would sink under the hideous revelation . Yet , in [his]4313-his ignorance of the extent of [this wretched woman]7941-this wretched woman 's wickedness , [he]4313-his may think , perhaps , that [I]0-i have been hard with [her]7941-this wretched woman . " Brooding thus , [Mr. Robert Audley]173-robert absently watched the cheerless landscape from the seat in the shabby coupé of the diligence , and thought how great a leaf had been torn out of [his]173-robert life , now that the dark story of [George Talboys]181-george talboys was finished . What had [he]173-robert to do next ? A crowd of horrible thoughts rushed into [his]173-robert mind as [he]173-robert remembered the story that [he]173-robert had heard from the white lips of [Helen Talboys]179-helen talboys . [[His]173-robert friend]4909-his friend — [[his]173-robert murdered friend]8116-his murdered friend — lay hidden among the moldering ruins of [the old well at [Audley Court]1-audley court]8117-the old well at audley court . [He]4909-his friend had lain [there]374-there for six long months , unburied , unknown ; hidden in the darkness of [the old convent well]8119-the old convent well . What was to be done ? To institute a search for the remains of [the murdered man]8120-the murdered man was to inevitably bring about [a coroner]8121-a coroner 's inquest . Should such an inquest be held , it was next to impossible that the history of [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady 's crime could fail to be brought to light . To prove that [George Talboys]181-george talboys met with [his]4909-his friend death at [Audley Court]1-audley court , was to prove almost as surely that [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady had been the instrument of that mysterious death ; for [the young man]667-the young man had been known to follow [her]468-my lady into the lime - walk upon the day of [his]4909-his friend disappearance . "[0-i] [[My]0-i God]5536-my god ! " [Robert]173-robert exclaimed , as the full horror of [his]0-i position became evident to [him]0-i ; "[0-i] is [[my]0-i friend]836-my friend to rest in [this unhallowed burial - place]4317-this unhallowed burial - place because [I]0-i have condoned the offenses of [the woman who murdered [him]836-my friend]4318-the woman who murdered him ? " [He]173-robert felt that there was no way out of this difficulty . Sometimes [he]173-robert thought that it little mattered to [[his]173-robert dead friend]8125-his dead friend whether [he]836-my friend lay entombed beneath a marble monument , whose workmanship should be the wonder of [the universe]6422-the universe , or in that obscure hiding - place in the thicket at [Audley Court]1-audley court . At another time [he]173-robert would be seized with a sudden horror at the wrong that had been done to [the murdered man]8120-the murdered man , and would fain have traveled even more rapidly than the express between [Brussels]126-brussels and [Paris]52-paris could carry [him]173-robert in [his]173-robert eagerness to reach the end of [his]173-robert journey , that [he]173-robert might set right this cruel wrong . [He]173-robert was in [London]3-london at dusk on the second day after that on which [he]173-robert had left [Audley Court]1-audley court , and [he]173-robert drove straight to [the Clarendon]120-the clarendon , to inquire after [[his]173-robert uncle]4872-his uncle . [He]173-robert had no intention of seeing [Sir Michael]146-sir michael , as [he]173-robert had not yet determined how much or how little [he]173-robert should tell [him]146-sir michael , but [he]173-robert was very anxious to ascertain how [the old man]694-the old man had sustained the cruel shock [he]173-robert had so lately endured . "[0-i] [I]0-i will see [Alicia]149-alicia , " [he]173-robert thought , "[149-alicia] [she]149-alicia will tell [me]0-i all about [[her]149-alicia father]481-her father . It is only two days since [he]481-her father left [Audley]150-lady audley . [I]0-i can scarcely expect to hear of any favorable change . " But [Mr. Audley]173-robert was not destined to see [[his]173-robert cousin]786-his cousin that evening , for [the servants at [the Clarendon]120-the clarendon]8131-the servants at the clarendon told [him]173-robert that [Sir Michael]146-sir michael and [[his]146-sir michael daughter]556-his daughter had left by the morning mail for [Paris]52-paris , on [their]8133-their way to [Vienna]132-vienna . [Robert]173-robert was very well pleased to receive this intelligence ; it afforded [him]173-robert a welcome respite , for it would be decidedly better to tell [the baronet]465-the baronet nothing of [[his]173-robert guilty wife]8135-his guilty wife until [he]173-robert returned to [England]7-england , with health unimpaired and spirits re - established , it was to be hoped . [Mr. Audley]173-robert drove to [the Temple]4856-the temple . [The chambers which had seemed dreary to [him]173-robert ever since the disappearance of [George Talboys]181-george talboys]8137-the chambers which had seemed dreary to him ever since the disappearance of george talboys , were doubly so to - night . For that which had been only a dark suspicion had now become a horrible certainty . There was no longer room for the palest ray , the most transitory glimmer of hope . [His]173-robert worst terrors had been too well founded . [George Talboys]181-george talboys had been cruelly and treacherously murdered by [the wife [he]173-robert had loved and mourned]8138-the wife he had loved and mourned . There were three letters waiting for [Mr. Audley]173-robert at [[his]173-robert chambers]4865-his chambers . One was from [Sir Michael]146-sir michael , and another from [Alicia]149-alicia . The third was addressed in a hand [the young barrister]5094-the young barrister knew only too well , though [he]5094-the young barrister had seen it but once before . [His]5094-the young barrister face flushed redly at the sight of the superscription , and [he]5094-the young barrister took the letter in [his]5094-the young barrister hand , carefully and tenderly , as if it had been a living thing , and sentient to [his]5094-the young barrister touch . [He]5094-the young barrister turned it over and over in [his]5094-the young barrister hands , looking at the crest upon the envelope , at the post - mark , at the color of the paper , and then put it into the bosom of [his]5094-the young barrister waistcoat with a strange smile upon [his]5094-the young barrister face . "[0-i] What [a wretched and unconscionable fool]4320-a wretched and unconscionable fool [I]0-i am ! " [he]0-i thought . "[0-i] Have [I]0-i laughed at the follies of [weak men]4321-weak men all [my]0-i life , and am [I]0-i to be more foolish than the weakest of [them]4321-weak men at last ? [The beautiful brown - eyed creature]4322-the beautiful brown - eyed creature ! Why did [I]0-i ever see [her]4322-the beautiful brown - eyed creature ? Why did [[my]0-i relentless Nemesis]4323-my relentless nemesis ever point the way to [that dreary house in [Dorsetshire]76-dorsetshire]4324-that dreary house in dorsetshire ? " [He]5094-the young barrister opened the first two letters . [He]5094-the young barrister was foolish enough to keep the last for a delicious morsel — a fairy - like dessert after the commonplace substantialities of a dinner . [Alicia]149-alicia 's letter told [him]5094-the young barrister that [Sir Michael]146-sir michael had borne [his]146-sir michael agony with such a persevering tranquility that [she]149-alicia had become at last far more alarmed by [his]146-sir michael patient calmness than by any stormy manifestation of despair . In this difficulty [she]149-alicia had secretly called upon [the physician who attended [the Audley household]3494-the audley household]8141-the physician who attended the audley household in any cases of serious illness , and had requested [this gentleman]1183-this gentleman to pay [Sir Michael]146-sir michael an apparently accidental visit . [He]5094-the young barrister had done so , and after stopping half an hour with [the baronet]465-the baronet , had told [Alicia]149-alicia that there was no present danger of any serious consequence from this great grief , but that it was necessary that every effort should be made to arouse [Sir Michael]146-sir michael , and to force [him]146-sir michael , however unwillingly , into action . [Alicia]149-alicia had immediately acted upon this advice , had resumed [her]149-alicia old empire as [a spoiled child]7287-a spoiled child , and reminded [[her]149-alicia father]481-her father of a promise [he]481-her father had made of taking [her]149-alicia through [Germany]133-germany . With considerable difficulty [she]149-alicia had induced [him]481-her father to consent to fulfilling this old promise , and having once gained [her]149-alicia point , [she]149-alicia had contrived that [they]8147-they should leave [England]7-england as soon as it was possible to do so , and [she]149-alicia told [Robert]173-robert , in conclusion , that [she]149-alicia would not bring [[her]149-alicia father]481-her father back to [[his]481-her father old house]8149-his old house until [she]149-alicia had taught [him]481-her father to forget the sorrows associated with it . [The baronet]465-the baronet 's letter was very brief . It contained half a dozen blank checks on [[Sir Michael Audley]146-sir michael 's London bankers]8151-sir michael audley 's london bankers . "[4323-my relentless nemesis] [You]4325-you will require money , [[my]0-i dear]4626-my dear [Robert]173-robert , " [he]0-i wrote , "[4323-my relentless nemesis] for such arrangements as [you]4325-you may think fit to make for the future comfort of [the person [I]0-i committed to [your]4325-you care]4327-the person i committed to your care . [I]0-i need scarcely tell [you]4325-you that those arrangements can not be too liberal . But perhaps it is as well that [I]0-i should tell [you]4325-you now , for the first and only time , that it is [my]0-i earnest wish never again to hear [that person]6137-that person 's name . [I]0-i have no wish to be told the nature of the arrangements [you]4325-you may make for [her]6137-that person . [I]0-i am sure that [you]4325-you will act conscientiously and mercifully . [I]0-i seek to know no more . Whenever [you]4325-you want money , [you]4325-you will draw upon [me]0-i for any sums that [you]4325-you may require ; but [you]4325-you will have no occasion to tell [me]0-i for whose use [you]4325-you want that money . " [Robert Audley]173-robert breathed a long sigh of relief as [he]173-robert folded this letter . It released [him]173-robert from a duty which it would have been most painful for [him]173-robert to perform , and it forever decided [his]173-robert course of action with regard to [the murdered man]8120-the murdered man . [George Talboys]181-george talboys must lie at peace in [[his]8120-the murdered man unknown grave]6313-his unknown grave , and [Sir Michael Audley]146-sir michael must never learn that [the woman [he]173-robert had loved]8154-the woman he had loved bore the red brand of murder on [her]8154-the woman he had loved soul . [Robert]173-robert had only the third letter to open — the letter which [he]173-robert had placed in [his]173-robert bosom while [he]173-robert read the others ; [he]173-robert tore open the envelope , handling it carefully and tenderly as [he]173-robert had done before . The letter was as brief as [Sir Michael]146-sir michael 's . It contained only these few lines : "[4325-you] [DEAR MR . AUDLEY]344-dear audley — [The rector of [this place]5298-this place]4329-the rector of this place has been twice to see [Marks]167-luke , [the man [you]344-dear audley saved in the fire at [the Castle Inn]54-the castle inn]4331-the man you saved in the fire at the castle inn . [He]167-luke lies in a very precarious state at [[[his]167-luke mother]533-his mother 's cottage]7625-his mother 's cottage , near [Audley Court]1-audley court , and is not expected to live many days . [[His]167-luke wife]554-his wife is attending [him]167-luke , and both [he]167-luke and [she]554-his wife have expressed a most earnest desire that [you]344-dear audley should see [him]167-luke before [he]167-luke dies . Pray come without delay . " [Yours]344-dear audley very sincerely , "[256-clara talboys] [CLARA TALBOYS]256-clara talboys . " [Mount Stanning Rectory]134-mount stanning rectory , March 6 . "[256-clara talboys] [Robert Audley]173-robert folded this letter very reverently , and placed it underneath that part of [his]173-robert waistcoat which might be supposed to cover the region of [his]173-robert heart . Having done this , [he]173-robert seated [himself]173-robert in [his]173-robert favorite arm - chair , filled and lighted a pipe and smoked it out , staring reflectingly at the fire as long as [his]173-robert tobacco lasted . " What can [that man]1095-that man [Marks]167-luke want with [me]955-the barrister , "[955-the barrister] thought [the barrister]955-the barrister . " [He]167-luke is afraid to die until [he]167-luke has made confession , perhaps . [He]167-luke wishes to tell [me]955-the barrister that which [I]955-the barrister know already — the story of [[my]955-the barrister lady]468-my lady 's crime . [I]955-the barrister knew that [he]167-luke was in the secret . [I]955-the barrister was sure of it even upon the night on which [I]955-the barrister first saw [him]167-luke . [He]167-luke knew the secret , and [he]167-luke traded on it . "[955-the barrister] [Robert Audley]173-robert shrank strangely from returning to [Essex]2-essex . How should [he]173-robert meet [Clara Talboys]256-clara talboys now that [he]173-robert knew the secret of [[her]256-clara talboys brother]6760-her brother 's fate ? How many lies [he]173-robert should have to tell , or how much equivocation [he]173-robert must use in order to keep the truth from [her]256-clara talboys ? Yet would there be any mercy in telling that horrible story , the knowledge of which must cast a blight upon [her]256-clara talboys youth , and blot out every hope [she]256-clara talboys had even secretly cherished ? [He]173-robert knew by [his]173-robert own experience how possible it was to hope against hope , and to hope unconsciously ; and [he]173-robert could not bear that [her]256-clara talboys heart should be crushed as [his]173-robert had been by the knowledge of the truth . " Better that [she]256-clara talboys should hope vainly to the last , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert thought ; " better that [she]256-clara talboys should go through life seeking the clew to [[her]256-clara talboys lost brother]8157-her lost brother 's fate , than that [I]173-robert should give that clew into [her]256-clara talboys hands , and say , ' [Our]8158-our worst fears are realized . [The brother [you]256-clara talboys loved]8159-the brother you loved has been foully murdered in the early promise of [his]8159-the brother you loved youth . ' "[173-robert] But [Clara Talboys]256-clara talboys had written to [him]173-robert , imploring [him]173-robert to return to [Essex]2-essex without delay . Could [he]173-robert refuse to do [her]256-clara talboys bidding , however painful its accomplishment might be ? And again , [the man]634-the man was dying , perhaps , and had implored to see [him]173-robert . Would it not be cruel to refuse to go — to delay an hour unnecessarily ? [He]173-robert looked at [his]173-robert watch . [It]4338-it wanted only five minutes to nine . There was [no train]1262-no train to [Audley]173-robert after the Ipswich mail , which left [London]3-london at half - past eight ; but there was [a train]4340-a train that left [Shoreditch]70-shoreditch at eleven , and stopped at [Brentwood]65-brentwood between twelve and one . [Robert]173-robert decided upon going by [this train]4341-this train , and walking the distance between [Brentwood]65-brentwood and [Audley]150-lady audley , which was upwards of six miles . [Fleet street]24-fleet street was quiet and lonely at this late hour , and [Robert Audley]173-robert being in a ghost - seeing mood , would have been scarcely astonished had [he]173-robert seen [Johnson]356-johnson 's set come roystering westward in the lamp - light , or blind [John Milton]357-john milton groping [his]357-john milton way down the steps before [Saint Bride 's Church]135-saint bride 's church . [Mr. Audley]173-robert hailed a hansom at [the corner of [Farrington street]136-farrington street]4342-the corner of farrington street , and was rattled rapidly away across [tenantless Smithfield market]4343-tenantless smithfield market , and into [a labyrinth of [dingy streets]4345-dingy streets that brought [him]173-robert out upon the broad grandeur of [Finsbury Pavement]137-finsbury pavement]4344-a labyrinth of dingy streets that brought him out upon the broad grandeur of finsbury pavement . The hansom rattled up the steep and stony approach to [Shoreditch Station]138-shoreditch station , and deposited [Robert]173-robert at the doors of [that unlovely temple]4346-that unlovely temple . There were [very few people]4347-very few people going to travel by [this midnight train]4348-this midnight train , and [Robert]173-robert walked up and down [the long wooden platform]4349-the long wooden platform , reading the huge advertisements whose gaunt lettering looked wan and ghastly in the dim lamplight . [He]173-robert had [the carriage]5171-the carriage in which [he]173-robert sat all to [himself]173-robert . All to [himself]173-robert did [I]0-i say ? Had [he]173-robert not lately summoned to [his]173-robert side that ghostly company which of all companionship is the most tenacious ? The shadow of [George Talboys]181-george talboys pursued [him]173-robert , even in [the comfortable first - class carriage]4351-the comfortable first - class carriage , and was behind [him]173-robert when [he]173-robert looked out of the window , and was yet far ahead of [him]173-robert and the rushing engine , in that thicket toward which [the train]1957-the train was speeding , by the side of [the unhallowed hiding - place in which the mortal remains of [the dead man]4354-the dead man lay , neglected and uncared for]4353-the unhallowed hiding - place in which the mortal remains of the dead man lay , neglected and uncared for . " [I]173-robert must give [[my]173-robert lost friend]6095-my lost friend decent burial , "[173-robert] [Robert]173-robert thought , as the chill wind swept across [the flat landscape]4355-the flat landscape , and struck [him]173-robert with such frozen breath as might have emanated from the lips of the dead . " [I]173-robert must do it ; or [I]173-robert shall die of some panic like this which has seized upon [me]173-robert to - night . [I]173-robert must do it ; at any peril ; at any cost . Even at the price of that revelation which will bring [the mad woman]7690-the mad woman back from [her]7690-the mad woman safe hiding - place , and place [her]7690-the mad woman in [a criminal dock]3180-a criminal dock . "[173-robert] [He]173-robert was glad when [the train]1957-the train stopped at [Brentwood]65-brentwood at a few minutes after twelve . It was half - past one o'clock when [the night wanderer]4357-the night wanderer entered [the village of [Audley]150-lady audley]5372-the village of audley , and it was only [there]374-there that [he]173-robert remembered that [Clara Talboys]256-clara talboys had omitted to give [him]173-robert any direction by which [he]173-robert might find [the cottage in which [Luke Marks]167-luke lay]4360-the cottage in which luke marks lay . " It was [Dawson]151-mr. dawson who recommended that [the poor creature]8163-the poor creature should be taken to [[[his]8163-the poor creature mother]533-his mother 's cottage]7625-his mother 's cottage , "[256-clara talboys] [Robert]173-robert thought , by - and - by , " and , [I]173-robert dare say . [Dawson]151-mr. dawson has attended [him]8163-the poor creature ever since the fire . [He]151-mr. dawson 'll be able to tell [me]173-robert the way to [the cottage]5055-the cottage . "[173-robert] Acting upon this idea , [Mr. Audley]173-robert stopped at [the house in which [Helen Talboys]179-helen talboys had lived before [her]179-helen talboys second marriage]4361-the house in which helen talboys had lived before her second marriage . The door of [the little surgery]4362-the little surgery was ajar , and there was a light burning within . [Robert]173-robert pushed the door open and peeped in . [The surgeon]508-the surgeon was standing at the mahogany counter , mixing a draught in a glass measure , with [his]508-the surgeon hat close beside [him]508-the surgeon . Late as it was , [he]508-the surgeon had evidently only just come in . The harmonious snoring of [[his]508-the surgeon assistant]4364-his assistant sounded from [a little room within [the surgery]5701-the surgery]4365-a little room within the surgery . " [I]173-robert am sorry to disturb [you]508-the surgeon , [Mr. Dawson]151-mr. dawson , "[173-robert] [Robert]173-robert said , apologetically , as [the surgeon]508-the surgeon looked up and recognized [him]173-robert , " but [I]173-robert have come down to see [Marks]167-luke , who , [I]173-robert hear , is in a very bad way , and [I]173-robert want [you]508-the surgeon to tell [me]173-robert the way to [[[his]167-luke mother]533-his mother 's cottage]7625-his mother 's cottage . "[173-robert] " [I]508-the surgeon 'll show [you]508-the surgeon the way , [Mr. Audley]173-robert , "[508-the surgeon] answered [the surgeon]508-the surgeon , " [I]508-the surgeon am going [there]374-there this minute . "[508-the surgeon] " [The man]634-the man is very bad , then ? "[173-robert] " So bad that [he]634-the man can be no worse . The change that can happen is that change which will take [him]634-the man beyond the reach of any earthly suffering . "[173-robert] " Strange ! "[173-robert] exclaimed [Robert]173-robert . " [He]634-the man did not appear to be much burned . "[173-robert] " [He]634-the man was not much burnt . Had [he]634-the man been , [I]173-robert should never have recommended [his]634-the man being removed from [Mount Stanning]69-mount stanning . It is the shock that has done the business . [He]634-the man has been in a raging fever for the last two days ; but to - night [he]634-the man is much calmer , and [I]173-robert 'm afraid , before to - morrow night , [we]8171-we shall have seen the last of [him]634-the man . "[173-robert] " [He]634-the man has asked to see [me]173-robert , [I]173-robert am told , "[173-robert] said [Mr. Audley]173-robert . " Yes , "[508-the surgeon] answered [the surgeon]508-the surgeon , carelessly . " [A sick man]8172-a sick man 's fancy , no doubt . [You]151-mr. dawson dragged [him]634-the man out of [the house]388-the house , and did [your]151-mr. dawson best to save [his]634-the man life . [I]508-the surgeon dare say , rough and boorish as [the poor fellow]5680-the poor fellow is , [he]634-the man thinks a good deal of that . "[508-the surgeon] [They]4370-they had left [the surgery]5701-the surgery , the door of which [Mr. Dawson]151-mr. dawson had locked behind [him]151-mr. dawson . There was money in [the till]4372-the till , perhaps , for surely [the village apothecary]4373-the village apothecary could not have feared that [the most daring housebreaker]4374-the most daring housebreaker would imperil [his]151-mr. dawson liberty in the pursuit of blue pill and colocynth , of [salts and senna]4375-salts and senna . [The surgeon]508-the surgeon led the way along [the silent street]4377-the silent street , and presently turned into [a lane at the end of which [Robert Audley]173-robert]4378-a lane at the end of which robert audley saw the wan glimmer of a light ; a light which told of the watch that is kept by [the sick and dying]4379-the sick and dying ; a pale , melancholy light , which always has a dismal aspect when looked upon in this silent hour betwixt night and morning . It shone from the window of [the cottage in which [Luke Marks]167-luke]4380-the cottage in which luke marks lay , watched by [[his]167-luke wife]554-his wife and [mother]7130-mother . [Mr. Dawson]151-mr. dawson lifted the latch , and walked into [the common room of [the little tenement]4384-the little tenement]4383-the common room of the little tenement , followed by [Robert Audley]173-robert . [It]4383-the common room of the little tenement was empty , but a feeble tallow candle , with a broken back , and a long , cauliflower - headed wick , sputtered upon the table . [The sick man]6531-the sick man lay in [the room]595-the room above . " Shall [I]151-mr. dawson tell [him]6531-the sick man [you]151-mr. dawson are here ? "[151-mr. dawson] asked [Mr. Dawson]151-mr. dawson . " Yes , yes , if [you]151-mr. dawson please . But be cautious how [you]151-mr. dawson tell [him]6531-the sick man , if [you]151-mr. dawson think the news likely to agitate [him]6531-the sick man . [I]151-mr. dawson am in no hurry . [I]151-mr. dawson can wait . [You]151-mr. dawson can call [me]151-mr. dawson when [you]151-mr. dawson think [I]151-mr. dawson can safely come up - [stairs]5306-stairs . "[151-mr. dawson] [The surgeon]508-the surgeon nodded , and softly ascended the narrow wooden stairs leading to [the upper chamber]4388-the upper chamber . [Robert Audley]173-robert seated [himself]173-robert in a Windsor chair by the cold hearth - stone , and stared disconsolately about [him]173-robert . But [he]173-robert was relieved at last by the low voice of [the surgeon]508-the surgeon , who looked down from the top of the little staircase to tell [him]173-robert that [Luke Marks]167-luke was awake , and would be glad to see [him]167-luke . [Robert]173-robert immediately obeyed this summons . [He]173-robert crept softly up the stairs , and took off [his]173-robert hat before [he]173-robert bent [his]173-robert head to enter at the low doorway of [the humble rustic chamber]4390-the humble rustic chamber . [He]173-robert took off [his]173-robert hat in the presence of [this common peasant man]4391-this common peasant man , because [he]173-robert knew that there was [another and a more awful presence]4392-another and a more awful presence hovering about [the room]595-the room , and eager to be admitted . [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe was sitting at the foot of the bed , with [her]166-phoebe eyes fixed upon [[her]166-phoebe husband]469-her husband 's face — not with any very tender expression in the pale light , but with a sharp , terrified anxiety , which showed that it was the coming of death itself that [she]166-phoebe dreaded , rather than the loss of [[her]166-phoebe husband]469-her husband . [The old woman]524-the old woman was busy at the fire - place , airing linen , and preparing some mess of broth which it was not likely [the patient]6552-the patient would ever eat . [The sick man]6531-the sick man lay with [his]6531-the sick man head propped up by pillows , [his]6531-the sick man coarse face deadly pale , and [his]6531-the sick man great hands wandering uneasily about the coverlet . [Phoebe]166-phoebe had been reading to [him]6531-the sick man , for an open Testament lay among the medicine and lotion bottles upon the table near the bed . Every object in [the room]595-the room was neat and orderly , and bore witness of that delicate precision which had always been a distinguishing characteristic of [Phoebe]166-phoebe . [The young woman]4400-the young woman rose as [Robert Audley]173-robert crossed the threshold , and hurried toward [him]6531-the sick man . " Let [me]4400-the young woman speak to [you]6531-the sick man for a moment , [sir]900-sir , before [you]6531-the sick man talk to [Luke]167-luke , "[4400-the young woman] [she]4400-the young woman said , in an eager whisper . " Pray let [me]4400-the young woman speak to [you]6531-the sick man first . "[4400-the young woman] " What 's [the gal]8177-the gal a - sayin ' , there ? "[7311-the invalid] asked [the invalid]7311-the invalid in a subdued roar , which died away hoarsely on [his]6531-the sick man lips . [He]6531-the sick man was feebly savage , even in [his]6531-the sick man weakness . The dull glaze of death was gathering over [his]6531-the sick man eyes , but [they]4402-they still watched [Phoebe]166-phoebe with a sharp glance of dissatisfaction . " What 's [she]8177-the gal up to [there]374-there ? "[6531-the sick man] [he]6531-the sick man said . " [I]6531-the sick man wo n't have no plottin ' and no hatchin ' agen [me]6531-the sick man . [I]6531-the sick man want to speak to [Mr. Audley]173-robert [[my]6531-the sick man own self]8179-my own self ; and whatever [I]6531-the sick man done [I]6531-the sick man 'm goin' to answer for . If [I]6531-the sick man done any mischief , [I]6531-the sick man 'm a - goin' to try and undo it . What 's [she]8177-the gal a - sayin ' ? "[6531-the sick man] " [She]8177-the gal ai n't a - sayin ' nothin' , [lovey]8180-lovey , "[524-the old woman] answered [the old woman]524-the old woman , going to the bedside of [[her]524-the old woman son]4404-her son , who even when made more interesting than usual by illness , did not seem a very fit subject for this tender appellation . " [She]8177-the gal 's only a - tellin ' [the gentleman]4994-the gentleman how bad [you]8180-lovey 've been , [[my]524-the old woman pretty]8182-my pretty . "[524-the old woman] " What [I]358-mr. mark 'm a - goin' to tell [I]358-mr. mark 'm only a - goin' to tell to [him]4994-the gentleman , remember , "[358-mr. mark] growled [Mr. Mark]358-mr. mark ; " and ketch [me]358-mr. mark a - tellin ' of it to [him]4994-the gentleman if it warn't for what [he]4994-the gentleman done for [me]358-mr. mark the other night . "[358-mr. mark] " To be sure not , [lovey]8180-lovey , "[524-the old woman] answered [the old woman]524-the old woman soothingly . [Phoebe Marks]166-phoebe had drawn [Mr. Audley]173-robert out of [the room]595-the room and onto [the narrow landing at the top of the little staircase]4407-the narrow landing at the top of the little staircase . [This landing]4408-this landing was a platform of about three feet square , and it was as much as [the two]4409-the two could manage to stand upon [it]4408-this landing without pushing [each other]4890-each other against the whitewashed wall , or backward down the stairs . " Oh , [sir]900-sir , [I]166-phoebe wanted to speak to [you]900-sir so badly , "[166-phoebe] [Phoebe]166-phoebe answered , eagerly ; " [you]900-sir know what [I]166-phoebe told [you]900-sir when [I]166-phoebe found [you]900-sir safe and well upon the night of the fire ? "[166-phoebe] " Yes , yes . "[167-luke] " [I]167-luke told [you]900-sir what [I]167-luke suspected ; what [I]167-luke think still . "[167-luke] " Yes , [I]166-phoebe remember . "[166-phoebe] " But [I]167-luke never breathed a word of it to [anybody]706-anybody but [you]900-sir , [sir]900-sir , and [I]167-luke think that [Luke]167-luke has forgotten all about that night ; [I]167-luke think that what went before the fire has gone clean out of [his]167-luke head altogether . [He]167-luke was tipsy , [you]900-sir know , when [[my]167-luke la]8187-my la — when [she]8187-my la came to [the Castle]4914-the castle ; and [I]167-luke think [he]167-luke was so dazed and scared like by the fire that it all went out of [his]167-luke memory . [He]167-luke does n't suspect what [I]167-luke suspect , at any rate , or [he]167-luke 'd have spoken of it to [anybody]706-anybody or [everybody]632-everybody ; but [he]167-luke 's dreadful spiteful against [[my]167-luke lady]468-my lady , for [he]167-luke says if [she]468-my lady 'd have let [him]167-luke have a place at [Brentwood]65-brentwood or [Chelmsford]38-chelmsford , this would n't have happened . So what [I]167-luke wanted to beg of [you]167-luke , [sir]900-sir , is not to let a word drop before [Luke]167-luke . "[167-luke] " Yes , yes , [I]167-luke understand ; [I]167-luke will be careful . "[167-luke] " [[My]167-luke lady]468-my lady has left [the Court]373-the court , [I]167-luke hear , [sir]900-sir ? "[167-luke] " Yes . "[167-luke] " Never to come back , [sir]900-sir ? "[167-luke] " Never to come back . "[167-luke] " But [she]468-my lady has not gone where [she]468-my lady 'll be cruelly treated ; where [she]468-my lady 'll be ill - used ? "[167-luke] " No : [she]468-my lady will be very kindly treated . "[167-luke] " [I]167-luke 'm glad of that , [sir]900-sir ; [I]167-luke beg [your]900-sir pardon for troubling [you]900-sir with the question , [sir]900-sir , but [[my]167-luke lady]468-my lady was [a kind mistress to [me]167-luke]8200-a kind mistress to me . "[167-luke] [Luke]167-luke 's voice , husky and feeble , was heard within [the little chamber]8033-the little chamber at this period of the conversation , demanding angrily when " [that gal]8201-that gal would have done jawing ; "[166-phoebe] upon which [Phoebe]166-phoebe put [her]166-phoebe finger to [her]166-phoebe lips , and led [Mr. Audley]173-robert back into [the sick - room]4412-the sick - room . " [I]167-luke do n't want [you]554-his wife "[167-luke] said [Mr. Marks]167-luke , decisively , as [[his]167-luke wife]554-his wife re - entered [the chamber—"I]8202-the chamber—"i do n't want [you]554-his wife ; [you]554-his wife 've no call to hear what [I]6531-the sick man 've got to say — [I]6531-the sick man only want [Mr. Audley]173-robert , and [I]6531-the sick man wants to speak to [him]173-robert all alone , with none o ' [your]554-his wife sneakin ' listenin ' at doors , d'ye hear ? so [you]554-his wife may go down - [stairs]5306-stairs and keep there till [you]554-his wife 're wanted ; and [you]554-his wife may take [mother]7130-mother — no , [mother]7130-mother may stay , [I]6531-the sick man shall want [her]7130-mother presently . "[6531-the sick man] [The sick man]6531-the sick man 's feeble hand pointed to the door , through which [[his]167-luke wife]554-his wife departed very submissively . " [I]554-his wife 've no wish to hear anything , [Luke]167-luke , "[554-his wife] [she]554-his wife said , " but [I]554-his wife hope [you]167-luke wo n't say anything against those that have been good and generous to [you]167-luke . "[554-his wife] " [I]167-luke shall say what [I]167-luke like , "[167-luke] answered [Mr. Marks]167-luke , fiercely , " and [I]167-luke 'm not a - goin' to be ordered by [you]167-luke . [You]167-luke ai n't [the parson]8206-the parson , as [I]167-luke 've ever heerd of ; nor [the lawyer]8207-the lawyer neither . "[167-luke] [The landlord of [the Castle Inn]1595-the castle inn]1606-the landlord of the castle inn had undergone no moral transformation by [his]1606-the landlord of the castle inn death - bed sufferings , fierce and rapid as they had been . Perhaps some faint glimmer of a light that had been far off from [his]1606-the landlord of the castle inn life now struggled feebly through the black obscurities of ignorance that darkened [his]1606-the landlord of the castle inn soul . Perhaps [a half angry , half sullen penitence]4418-a half angry , half sullen penitence urged [him]1606-the landlord of the castle inn to make some rugged effort to atone for a life that had been selfish and drunken and wicked . Be it how it might [he]1606-the landlord of the castle inn wiped [his]1606-the landlord of the castle inn white lips , and turning [his]1606-the landlord of the castle inn haggard eyes earnestly upon [Robert Audley]173-robert , pointed to a chair by the bedside . " [You]173-robert made game of [me]1606-the landlord of the castle inn in a general way , [Mr. Audley]173-robert , "[1606-the landlord of the castle inn] [he]1606-the landlord of the castle inn said , presently , " and [you]173-robert 've drawed [me]1606-the landlord of the castle inn out , and [you]173-robert 've tumbled and tossed [me]1606-the landlord of the castle inn about like in a gentlemanly way , till [I]1606-the landlord of the castle inn was nothink or anythink in [your]173-robert hands ; and [you]173-robert 've looked [me]1606-the landlord of the castle inn through and through , and turned [me]1606-the landlord of the castle inn inside out till [you]173-robert thought [you]173-robert knowed as much as [I]1606-the landlord of the castle inn knowed . [I]1606-the landlord of the castle inn 'd no particular call to be grateful to [you]173-robert , not before the fire at [the Castle]113-the castle t'other night . But [I]1606-the landlord of the castle inn am grateful to [you]173-robert for that . [I]1606-the landlord of the castle inn 'm not grateful to [folks]5867-folks in a general way , p'r'aps , because the things as [gentlefolks]8209-gentlefolks have give have a'most allus been the very things [I]1606-the landlord of the castle inn did n't want . [They]8209-gentlefolks 've give [me]1606-the landlord of the castle inn soup , and tracks , and flannel , and coals ; but , [Lord]8210-lord , [they]8209-gentlefolks 've made such a precious noise about it that [I]1606-the landlord of the castle inn 'd have been to send ['em]8211-'em all back to ['em]8211-'em . But when [a gentleman]4644-a gentleman goes and puts [his]4644-a gentleman own life in danger to save [a drunken brute like [me]1606-the landlord of the castle inn]8213-a drunken brute like me , [the drunkenest brute as ever]8214-the drunkenest brute as ever was feels grateful like to [that gentleman]4886-that gentleman , and wishes to say before [he]4644-a gentleman dies — which [he]4644-a gentleman sees in [the doctor]7600-the doctor 's face as [he]4644-a gentleman ai n't got long to live—'Thank [ye]667-the young man , [sir]900-sir , [I]1606-the landlord of the castle inn 'm obliged to [you]900-sir . "[1606-the landlord of the castle inn] [Luke Marks]167-luke stretched out [his]167-luke left hand — the right hand had been injured by the fire , and was wrapped in linen — and groped feebly for that of [Mr. Robert Audley]173-robert . [The young man]667-the young man took the coarse but shrunken hand in both [his]167-luke own , and pressed it cordially . " [I]667-the young man need no thanks , [Luke Marks]167-luke , "[667-the young man] [he]667-the young man said ; " [I]667-the young man was very glad to be of service to [you]167-luke . "[667-the young man] [Mr. Marks]167-luke did not speak immediately . [He]667-the young man was lying quietly upon [his]667-the young man side , staring reflectingly at [Robert Audley]173-robert . " [You]167-luke was oncommon fond of [that gent]8218-that gent as disappeared at [the Court]373-the court , warn't [you]167-luke , [sir]900-sir ? "[667-the young man] [he]667-the young man said at last . [Robert]173-robert started at the mention of [[his]173-robert dead friend]8125-his dead friend . " [You]167-luke was oncommon fond of that [Mr. Talboys]157-george , [I]167-luke 've heard say , [sir]900-sir , "[167-luke] repeated [Luke]167-luke . " Yes , yes , "[173-robert] answered [Robert]173-robert , rather impatiently , " [he]157-george was [[my]173-robert very dear friend]6290-my very dear friend . "[173-robert] " [I]167-luke 've heard [the servants at [the Court]373-the court]8223-the servants at the court say how [you]167-luke took on when [you]167-luke could n't find [him]157-george . [I]167-luke 've heered [the landlord of [the Sun Inn]5106-the sun inn]5268-the landlord of the sun inn say how cut up [you]167-luke was when [you]167-luke first missed [him]157-george . ' If [the two gents]8227-the two gents had been [brothers]1431-brothers , ' [the landlord]5144-the landlord said , ' [[our]8227-the two gents gent]8230-our gent , ' meanin ' [you]167-luke , [sir]900-sir , ' could n't have been more cut up when [he]157-george missed the other . ' "[167-luke] " Yes , yes , [I]173-robert know , [I]173-robert know , "[173-robert] said [Robert]173-robert ; " pray do not speak any more of this subject . [I]173-robert can not tell [you]6531-the sick man how much it distresses [me]173-robert . "[173-robert] Was [he]173-robert to be haunted forever by [the ghost of [[his]173-robert unburied friend]4422-his unburied friend]4421-the ghost of his unburied friend ? [He]173-robert came here to comfort [the sick man]6531-the sick man , and even here [he]173-robert was pursued by this relentless shadow ; even here [he]173-robert was reminded of the secret crime which had darkened [his]173-robert life . " Listen to [me]173-robert , [Marks]167-luke , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said , earnestly ; " believe [me]173-robert that [I]173-robert appreciate [your]167-luke grateful words , and that [I]173-robert am very glad to have been of service to [you]167-luke . But before [you]167-luke say anything more , let [me]173-robert make one most solemn request . If [you]167-luke have sent for [me]173-robert that [you]167-luke may tell [me]173-robert anything of the fate of [[my]173-robert lost friend]6095-my lost friend , [I]173-robert entreat [you]167-luke to spare [yourself]167-luke and to spare [me]173-robert that horrible story . [You]167-luke can tell [me]173-robert nothing which [I]173-robert do not already know . The worst [you]167-luke can tell [me]173-robert of [the woman who was once in [your]167-luke power]8233-the woman who was once in your power , has already been revealed to [me]173-robert by [her]8233-the woman who was once in your power own lips . Pray , then , be silent upon this subject ; [I]173-robert say again , [you]167-luke can tell [me]173-robert nothing which [I]173-robert do not know . "[173-robert] [Luke Marks]167-luke looked musingly at the earnest face of [[his]167-luke visitor]1368-his visitor , and some shadowy expression , which was almost like a smile , flitted feebly across [the sick man]6531-the sick man 's haggard features . " [I]167-luke ca n't tell [you]167-luke nothin' [you]167-luke do n't know ? "[167-luke] [he]167-luke asked . " Nothing . "[167-luke] " Then it ai n't no good for [me]7311-the invalid to try , "[7311-the invalid] said [the invalid]7311-the invalid , thoughtfully . " Did [she]8233-the woman who was once in your power tell [you]167-luke ? "[7311-the invalid] [he]7311-the invalid asked , after a pause . " [I]7311-the invalid must beg , [Marks]167-luke , that [you]167-luke will drop the subject , "[7311-the invalid] [Robert]173-robert answered , almost sternly . " [I]7311-the invalid have already told [you]167-luke that [I]7311-the invalid do not wish to hear it spoken of . Whatever discoveries [you]167-luke made , [you]167-luke made [your]167-luke market out of them . Whatever guilty secrets [you]167-luke got possession of , [you]167-luke were paid for keeping silence . [You]167-luke had better keep silence to the end . "[7311-the invalid] " Had [I]167-luke ? "[167-luke] cried [Luke Marks]167-luke , in an eager whisper . " Had [I]167-luke really now better hold [my]167-luke tongue to the last ? "[167-luke] " [I]7311-the invalid think so , most decidedly . [You]167-luke traded on [your]167-luke secret , and [you]167-luke were paid to keep it . It would be more honest to hold to [your]167-luke bargain , and keep it still . "[7311-the invalid] " Would it now ? "[167-luke] said [Mr. Marks]167-luke with a ghastly grin ; " but suppose [[my]167-luke lady]468-my lady had one secret and [I]167-luke another . How then ? "[167-luke] " What do [you]167-luke mean ? "[7311-the invalid] " Suppose [I]7311-the invalid could have told something all along ; and would have told it , perhaps , if [I]7311-the invalid 'd been a little better treated ; if what was give to [me]7311-the invalid had been give a little more liberal like , and not flung at [me]7311-the invalid as if [I]7311-the invalid was a dog , and was only give it to be kep ' from bitin ' . Suppose [I]7311-the invalid could have told somethin' , and would have told it but for that ? How then ? "[7311-the invalid] It was impossible to describe the ghastliness of the triumphant grin that lighted up [the sick man]6531-the sick man 's haggard face . " [His]6531-the sick man mind is wandering , "[173-robert] [Robert]173-robert thought ; " [I]173-robert had need be patient with [him]6531-the sick man , [poor fellow]2917-poor fellow . It would be strange if [I]173-robert could not be patient with [a dying man]8236-a dying man . "[173-robert] [Luke marks]167-luke lay staring at [Mr. Audley]173-robert for some moments with that triumphant grin upon [his]6531-the sick man face . [The old woman]524-the old woman , wearied out with watching [[her]524-the old woman dying son]4429-her dying son , had dropped into a doze , and sat nodding [her]524-the old woman sharp chin over the handful of fire , upon which the broth that was never to be eaten , still bubbled and simmered . [Mr. Audley]173-robert waited very patiently until it should be [the sick man]6531-the sick man 's pleasure to speak . Every sound was painfully distinct in that dead hour of the night . The dropping of the ashes on the hearth , the ominous crackling of the burning coals , the slow and ponderous ticking of the sulky clock in [the room]595-the room below , the low moaning of the March wind ( which might have been the voice of [an English Banshee]4432-an english banshee , screaming [her]4432-an english banshee dismal warning to [the watchers of the dying]4433-the watchers of the dying ) , the hoarse breathing of [the sick man]6531-the sick man -- every sound held itself apart from all other sounds , and made itself into a separate voice , loud with a gloomy portent in the solemn stillness of [the house]388-the house . [Robert]173-robert sat with [his]173-robert face shaded by [his]173-robert hands , thinking what was to become of [him]173-robert now that the secret of [[his]173-robert friend]4909-his friend 's fate had been told , and the dark story of [George Talboys]157-george and [[his]157-george wicked wife]4437-his wicked wife had been finished in [the Belgian mad - house]4438-the belgian mad - house . What was to become of [him]173-robert ? [He]173-robert had no claim upon [Clara Talboys]256-clara talboys ; for [he]173-robert had resolved to keep the horrible secret that had been told to [him]173-robert . How then could [he]173-robert dare to meet [her]256-clara talboys with that secret held back fom [her]256-clara talboys ? How could [he]173-robert ever look into [her]256-clara talboys earnest eyes , and yet withhold the truth ? [He]173-robert felt that all power of reservation would fail before the searching glance of those calm brown eyes . If [he]173-robert was indeed to keep this secret [he]173-robert must never see [her]256-clara talboys again . To reveal it would be to embitter [her]256-clara talboys life . Could [he]173-robert , for any selfish motive of [his]173-robert own , tell [her]256-clara talboys this terrible story?--or could [he]173-robert think that if [he]173-robert told [her]256-clara talboys [she]256-clara talboys would suffer [[her]256-clara talboys murdered brother]4439-her murdered brother to lie unavenged and forgotten in [[his]4439-her murdered brother unhallowed grave]4440-his unhallowed grave ? Hemmed in on every side by difficulties which seemed utterly insumountable ; with the easy temperament which was natural to [him]173-robert embittered by the gloomy burden [he]173-robert had borne so long , [Robert Audley]173-robert looked hopelessly forward to the life which lay before [him]173-robert , and thought that it would have been better for [him]173-robert had [he]173-robert perished among [the burning ruins of [the Castle Inn]54-the castle inn]4441-the burning ruins of the castle inn . " Who would have been sorry for [me]173-robert ? [No one]507-no one but [[my]173-robert poor little [Alicia]149-alicia]5757-my poor little alicia , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert thought , " and [hers]149-alicia would have only been an April sorrow . Would [Clara Talboys]256-clara talboys have been sorry ? No ! [She]256-clara talboys would have only regretted [me]173-robert as a lost link in the mystery of [[her]256-clara talboys brother]6760-her brother 's death . [She]256-clara talboys would only-- "[173-robert] [Heaven]201-heaven knows whither [Mr. Audley]173-robert 's thoughts might have wandered had [he]173-robert not been startled by a sudden movement of [the sick man]6531-the sick man , who raised [himself]6531-the sick man up in [his]6531-the sick man bed , and called to [[his]6531-the sick man mother]533-his mother . [The old woman]524-the old woman woke up with a jerk , and turned sleepily enough to look at [[her]524-the old woman son]4404-her son . " What is it , [Luke]167-luke , [deary]8240-deary ? "[524-the old woman] [she]524-the old woman asked soothingly . " It ai n't time for [the doctor]7600-the doctor 's stuff yet . [Mr. Dawson]151-mr. dawson said as [you]167-luke were n't to have it till two hours after [he]6531-the sick man went away , and [he]6531-the sick man ai n't been gone an hour yet . "[524-the old woman] " Who said it was [the doctor]7600-the doctor 's stuff [I]167-luke wanted ? "[167-luke] cried [Mr. Marks]167-luke , impatiently . " [I]173-robert want to ask [you]524-the old woman something , [mother]7130-mother . Do [you]524-the old woman remember the seventh of last September ? "[173-robert] [Robert]173-robert started , and looked eagerly at [the sick man]6531-the sick man . Why did [he]173-robert harp upon this forbidden subject ? Why did [he]173-robert insist upon recalling the date of [George]157-george 's murder ? [The old woman]524-the old woman shook [her]524-the old woman head in feeble confusion of mind . " Lord , [Luke]167-luke , "[524-the old woman] [she]524-the old woman said , " how can'ee ask [me]524-the old woman such questions ? [My]524-the old woman memory 's been a failin ' [me]524-the old woman this eight or nine year ; and [I]524-the old woman never was one to remember the days of the month , or aught o ' that sort . How should [a poor workin ' woman]8244-a poor workin ' woman remember such things . "[524-the old woman] [Luke Marks]167-luke shrugged [his]167-luke shoulders impatiently . " [You]524-the old woman 're [a good un]8245-a good un to do what 's asked [you]524-the old woman , [mother]7130-mother , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said , peevishly . " Did n't [I]173-robert tell [you]524-the old woman to rememer that day ? Did n't [I]173-robert tell [you]524-the old woman as the time might come when [you]524-the old woman 'd be called upon to bear witness about it , and put upon [your]524-the old woman Bible oath about it ? Did n't [I]173-robert tell [you]524-the old woman that , [mother]7130-mother ? "[173-robert] [The old woman]524-the old woman shook [her]524-the old woman head hopelessly . " If [you]173-robert say so , [I]524-the old woman make no doubt [you]173-robert did , [Luke]167-luke , "[524-the old woman] [she]524-the old woman said , with a conciliatory smile ; " but [I]524-the old woman ca n't call it to mind , lovey . [My]524-the old woman memory 's been failin ' [me]524-the old woman this nine yaer , [sir]900-sir , "[524-the old woman] [she]524-the old woman added , turning to [Robert Audley]173-robert , " and [I]173-robert 'm but [a poor crittur]8249-a poor crittur . "[173-robert] [Mr. Audley]173-robert laid [his]173-robert hand upon [the sick man]6531-the sick man 's arm . " [Marks]167-luke , "[173-robert] [he]173-robert said , " [I]173-robert tell [you]167-luke again , [you]167-luke have no cause to worry [yourself]167-luke about this matter . [I]173-robert ask [you]167-luke no questions , [I]173-robert have no wish to hear anything . "[173-robert] " But , suppose [I]167-luke want to tell something , "[167-luke] cried [Luke]167-luke , with feverish energy , " suppose [I]167-luke feel [I]167-luke ca n't die with a secret on [my]167-luke mind , and have asked to see [you]167-luke on purpose that [I]167-luke might tell [you]167-luke ; suppose that , and [you]167-luke 'll suppose nothing but the truth . [I]167-luke 'd have been burnt alive before [I]167-luke 'd have told [her]8250-her . "[167-luke] [He]167-luke spoke these words between [his]167-luke set teeth , and scowled savagely as [he]167-luke uttered them . " [I]167-luke 'd have been burnt alive first . [I]167-luke made [her]8250-her pay for [her]8250-her pretty insolent ways ; [I]167-luke made [her]8250-her pay for [her]8250-her airs and graces ; [I]167-luke 'd never have told [her]8250-her — never , never ! [I]167-luke had [my]167-luke power over [her]8250-her , and [I]167-luke kept it ; [I]167-luke had [my]167-luke secret and was paid for it ; and there was n't a petty slight as [she]8250-her ever put upon [me]167-luke or [mine]167-luke that [I]167-luke did n't pay [her]8250-her out for twenty times over ! "[167-luke] " [Marks]167-luke , [Marks]167-luke , for Heaven 's sake be calm , "[173-robert] said [Robert]173-robert , earnestly . " What are [you]167-luke talking of ? What is it that [you]167-luke could have told ? "[173-robert] " [I]167-luke 'm a - goin to tell [you]524-the old woman , "[167-luke] answered [Luke]167-luke , wiping [his]167-luke lips . " Give [us]8251-us a drink , [mother]7130-mother . "[167-luke] [The old woman]524-the old woman poured out some cooling drink into a mug , and carried it to [[her]524-the old woman son]4404-her son . [He]4404-her son drank it in an eager hurry , as if [he]4404-her son felt that the brief remainder of [his]4404-her son life must be a race with the pitiless pedestrian , Time . " Stop where [you]533-his mother are , "[4404-her son] [he]4404-her son said to [[his]4404-her son mother]533-his mother , pointing to a chair at the foot of the bed . [The old woman]524-the old woman obeyed , and seated [herself]524-the old woman meekly opposite to [Mr. Audley]173-robert . " [I]167-luke 'll ask [you]533-his mother another question , [mother]7130-mother , "[167-luke] said [Luke]167-luke , " and [I]167-luke think it 'll be strange if [you]533-his mother ca n't answer it . Do [you]533-his mother remember when [I]167-luke was at work upon [[Atkinson]359-atkinson 's farm]8254-atkinson 's farm ; before [I]167-luke was married [you]533-his mother know , and when [I]167-luke was livin ' down here along of [you]533-his mother ? "[167-luke] " Yes , yes , "[221-mrs. marks] [Mrs. Marks]221-mrs. marks answered , nodding triumphantly , " [I]221-mrs. marks remember that , [[my]221-mrs. marks dear]4626-my dear . It were last fall , just about as the apples was bein ' gathered in [the orchard]449-the orchard across [[our]8257-our lane]8258-our lane , and about the time as [you]4626-my dear had [your]4626-my dear new sprigged wesket . [I]221-mrs. marks remember , [Luke]167-luke , [I]221-mrs. marks remember . "[221-mrs. marks] [Mr. Audley]173-robert wondered where all this was to lead to , and how long [he]173-robert would have to sit by [the sick man]6531-the sick man 's bed , hearing a conversation that had no meaning to [him]173-robert . " If [you]533-his mother remember that much , maybe [you]533-his mother 'll remember more , [mother]7130-mother , "[167-luke] said [Luke]167-luke . " Can [you]533-his mother call to mind [my]167-luke bringing [some one]3325-some one [home]479-home here one night , while [Atkinsons]360-atkinsons was stackin ' the last o ' [their]360-atkinsons corn ? "[167-luke] Once more [Mr. Audley]173-robert started violently , and this time [he]173-robert looked up earnestly at the face of [the speaker]4906-the speaker , and listened , with a strange , breathless interest , that [he]173-robert scarcely understood [himself]173-robert , to what [Luke Marks]167-luke was saying . " [I]524-the old woman rek'lect [your]173-robert bringing [home]479-home [Phoebe]166-phoebe , "[524-the old woman] [the old woman]524-the old woman answered , with great animation . " [I]524-the old woman rek'lect [your]173-robert bringin ' [Phoebe]166-phoebe [home]479-home to take a cup o ' tea , or a little snack o ' supper , a mort o ' times . "[524-the old woman] " [Bother Phoebe]361-bother phoebe , "[167-luke] cried [Mr. Marks]167-luke , " who 's a talkin ' of [Phoebe]166-phoebe ? What 's [Phoebe]166-phoebe , that [anybody]706-anybody should go to put theirselves out about [her]166-phoebe ? Do [you]524-the old woman remember [my]167-luke bringin ' [home]479-home [a gentleman]4644-a gentleman after ten o'clock , one September night ; [a gentleman as was wet through to the skin , and was covered with mud and slush , and green slime and black muck]8267-a gentleman as was wet through to the skin , and was covered with mud and slush , and green slime and black muck , from the crown of [his]4644-a gentleman head to the sole of [his]4644-a gentleman foot , and had [his]4644-a gentleman arm broke , and [his]4644-a gentleman shoulder swelled up awful ; and was such a objeck that [nobody]566-nobody would ha ' knowed [him]4644-a gentleman ; [a gentleman as]8269-a gentleman as had to have [his]4644-a gentleman clothes cut off [him]4644-a gentleman in some places , and as sat by the kitchen fire , starin ' at the coals as if [he]4644-a gentleman had gone mad or stupid - like , and did n't know where [he]4644-a gentleman was , or who [he]4644-a gentleman was ; and as had to be cared for like [a baby]4838-a baby , and dressed , and dried , and washed , and fed with spoonfuls of brandy , that had to be forced between [his]4644-a gentleman locked teeth , before any life could be got into [him]4644-a gentleman ? Do [you]524-the old woman remember that , [mother]7130-mother ? "[167-luke] [The old woman]524-the old woman nodded , and muttered something to the effect that [she]524-the old woman remembered all these circumstances most vividly , now that [Luke]167-luke happened to mention them . [Robert Audley]173-robert uttered a wild cry , and fell down upon [his]173-robert knees by the side of [the sick man]6531-the sick man 's bed . " [[My]173-robert God]5536-my god ! "[173-robert] [he]173-robert ejaculated , " [I]173-robert think [Thee]5536-my god for [Thy]5536-my god wondrous mercies . [George Talboys]157-george is alive ! "[173-robert] " Wait a bit , "[167-luke] said [Mr. Marks]167-luke , " do n't [you]524-the old woman be too fast . [Mother]7130-mother , give [us]8274-us down that tin box on the shelf over against the chest of drawers , will [you]524-the old woman ? "[167-luke] [The old woman]524-the old woman obeyed , and after fumbling among broken teacups and milk - jugs , lidless wooden cotton - boxes , and a miscellaneous litter of rags and crockery , produced a tin snuff - box with a sliding lid ; a shabby , dirty - looking box enough . [Robert Audley]173-robert still knelt by the bedside with [his]173-robert face hidden by [his]173-robert clasped hands . [Luke Marks]167-luke opened the tin box . " There ai n't no money in it , more 's the pity , "[167-luke] [he]167-luke said , " or if there had been it would n't have been let stop very long . But there 's summat in it that perhaps [you]524-the old woman 'll think quite as valliable as money , and that 's what [I]167-luke 'm goin' to give [you]524-the old woman as a proof that [a drunken brute]8275-a drunken brute can feel thankful to [them]8274-us as is kind to [him]8275-a drunken brute . "[167-luke] [He]167-luke took out two folded papers , which [he]167-luke gave into [Robert Audley]173-robert 's hands . They were two leaves torn out of a pocket - book , and they were written upon in pencil , and in a handwriting that was quite strange to [Mr. Audley]173-robert — a cramped , stiff , and yet scrawling hand , such as [some plowman]4460-some plowman might have written . " [I]173-robert do n't know this writing , "[173-robert] [Robert]173-robert said , as [he]173-robert eagerly unfolded the first of the two papers . " What has this to do with [[my]173-robert friend]836-my friend ? Why do [you]167-luke show [me]173-robert these ? "[173-robert] " Suppose [you]173-robert read ['em]8277-'em first , "[167-luke] said [Mr. Marks]167-luke , " and ask [me]167-luke questions about them afterwards . "[167-luke] The first paper which [Robert Audley]173-robert had unfolded contained the following lines , written in that cramped , yet scrawling hand which was so strange to [him]173-robert : " [[MY]173-robert DEAR FRIEND]8278-my dear friend — [I]173-robert write to [you]8278-my dear friend in such utter confusion of mind as perhaps [no man]8279-no man ever before suffered . [I]173-robert can not tell [you]8278-my dear friend what has happened to [me]173-robert , [I]173-robert can only tell [you]8278-my dear friend that something has happened which will drive [me]173-robert from [England]7-england [a broken - hearted man]8280-a broken - hearted man , to seek [some corner of [the earth]5601-the earth in which [I]173-robert may live and die unknown and forgotten]8281-some corner of the earth in which i may live and die unknown and forgotten . [I]173-robert can only ask [you]8278-my dear friend to forget [me]173-robert . If [your]8278-my dear friend friendship could have done [me]173-robert any good , [I]173-robert would have appealed to it . If [your]8278-my dear friend counsel could have been any help to [me]173-robert , [I]173-robert would have confided in [you]8278-my dear friend . But neither friendship nor counsel can help [me]173-robert ; and all [I]173-robert can say to [you]8278-my dear friend is this , [God]164-god bless [you]8278-my dear friend for the past , and teach [you]8278-my dear friend to forget [me]173-robert in the future . G.T. "[173-robert] The second paper was addressed to [another person]2618-another person , and its contents were briefer than those of the first . " [HELEN]179-helen talboys — May [God]164-god pity and forgive [you]8278-my dear friend for that which [you]8278-my dear friend have done to - day , as truly as [I]2618-another person do . Rest in peace . [You]8278-my dear friend shall never hear of [me]2618-another person again ; to [you]8278-my dear friend and to [the world]519-the world [I]2618-another person shall henceforth be that which [you]8278-my dear friend wished [me]2618-another person to be to - day . [You]8278-my dear friend need fear no molestation from [me]2618-another person . [I]2618-another person leave [England]7-england never to return . "[2618-another person] G.T. " [Robert Audley]173-robert sat staring at these lines in hopeless bewilderment . They were not in [[his]173-robert friend]4909-his friend 's familiar hand , and yet they purported to be written by [him]173-robert and were signed with [his]173-robert initials . [He]173-robert looked scrutinizingly at the face of [Luke Marks]167-luke , thinking that perhaps some trick was being played upon [him]173-robert . "[2618-another person] This was not written by [George Talboys]157-george , " [he]173-robert said . "[157-george] It was , " answered [Luke Marks]167-luke , "[157-george] it was written by [Mr. Talboys]157-george , every line of it . [He]157-george wrote it with [his]157-george own hand ; but it was [his]157-george left hand , for [he]157-george could n't use [his]157-george right because of [his]157-george broken arm . " [Robert Audley]173-robert looked up suddenly , and the shadow of suspicion passed away from [his]0-i face . "[0-i] [I]0-i understand , " [he]0-i said , "[0-i] [I]0-i understand . Tell [me]0-i all ; tell [me]0-i how it was that [[my]0-i poor friend]6106-my poor friend was saved . " "[0-i] [I]0-i was at work up at [[Atkinson]359-atkinson 's farm]8254-atkinson 's farm , last September , " said [Luke Marks]167-luke , "[0-i] helping to stack the last of the corn , and as the nighest way from [the farm]4464-the farm to [[mother]7130-mother 's cottage]4466-mother 's cottage was through [the meadows]776-the meadows at [the back of [the Court]373-the court]1211-the back of the court , [I]0-i used to come that way , and [Phoebe]166-phoebe used to stand in the garden wall beyond [the lime - walk]5297-the lime - walk sometimes , to have a chat with [me]0-i , knowin ' [my]0-i time o ' comin ' [home]479-home . " [I]0-i do n't know what [Phoebe]166-phoebe was a - doin' upon the evenin ' of the seventh o ' September — [I]0-i rek'lect the date because [Farmer Atkinson]359-atkinson paid [me]0-i [my]0-i wages all of a lump on that day , and [I]0-i 'd had to sign a bit of a receipt for the money [he]359-atkinson give [me]0-i — [I]0-i do n't know what [she]166-phoebe was a - doin' , but [she]166-phoebe warn't at the gate agen the lime - walk , so [I]0-i went round to the other side o ' [the gardens]414-the gardens and jumped across [the dry ditch]8286-the dry ditch , for [I]0-i wanted [partic'ler]8287-partic'ler to see [her]166-phoebe that night , as [I]0-i was goin' away to work upon [a farm beyond [Chelmsford]38-chelmsford]8288-a farm beyond chelmsford the next day . [Audley church]150-lady audley clock struck nine as [I]0-i was crossin ' [the meadows between [Atkinson]359-atkinson 's and [the Court]373-the court]8289-the meadows between atkinson 's and the court , and it must have been about a quarter past nine when [I]0-i got into [the kitchen garden]8291-the kitchen garden . "[0-i] [I]0-i crossed [the garden]452-the garden , and went into [the lime - walk]5297-the lime - walk ; the nighest way to [the servants ' hall]797-the servants ' hall took [me]0-i through the shrubbery and past [the dry well]4475-the dry well . It was a dark night , but [I]0-i knew [my]0-i way well enough about [the old place]413-the old place , and the light in the window of [the servants ' hall]797-the servants ' hall looked red and comfortable through the darkness . [I]0-i was close against the mouth of [the dry well]4475-the dry well when [I]0-i heard a sound that made [my]0-i blood creep . It was a groan — a groan of [a man in pain]4479-a man in pain , as was lyin ' somewhere hid among the bushes . [I]0-i warn't afraid of ghosts and [I]0-i warn't afraid of anythink in a general way , but there was somethin in hearin ' this groan as chilled [me]0-i to the very heart , and for a minute [I]0-i was struck all of a heap , and did n't know what to do . But [I]0-i heard the groan again , and then [I]0-i began to search among the bushes . [I]0-i found [a man]445-a man lyin ' hidden under a lot o ' laurels , and [I]0-i thought at first [he]445-a man was up to no good , and [I]0-i was a - goin' to collar [him]445-a man to take [him]445-a man to [the house]388-the house , when [he]445-a man caught [me]0-i by the wrist without gettin ' up from the ground , but lookin ' at [me]0-i very earnest , as [I]0-i could see by the way [his]445-a man face was turned toward [me]0-i in the darkness , and asked [me]0-i who [I]0-i was , and what [I]0-i was , and what [I]0-i had to do with [the folks at [the Court]373-the court]4482-the folks at the court . " There was somethin' in the way [he]445-a man spoke that told [me]0-i [he]445-a man was [a gentleman]4644-a gentleman , though [I]0-i did n't know [him]445-a man from [Adam]299-adam , and could n't see [his]445-a man face ; and [I]0-i answered [his]445-a man questions civil . "[0-i] ' [I]0-i want to get away from [this place]5298-this place , ' [he]0-i said , ' without bein ' seen by any livin ' [creetur]4485-creetur , remember that . [I]0-i 've been lyin ' [here]4776-here ever since four o'clock to - day , and [I]0-i 'm half dead , but [I]0-i want to get away without bein ' seen , mind that . ' " [I]0-i told [him]0-i that was easy enough , but [I]0-i began to think [my]0-i first thoughts of [him]0-i might have been right enough , after all , and that [he]0-i could n't have been up to no good to want to sneak away so precious quiet . "[0-i] ' Can [you]4487-you take [me]0-i to any place where [I]0-i can get a change of dry clothes , ' [he]0-i says , ' without [half a dozen people]4488-half a dozen people knowin ' it ? ' " [He]0-i 'd got up into a sittin ' attitude by this time , and [I]0-i could see that [his]0-i right arm hung close by [his]0-i side , and that [he]0-i was in pain . "[0-i] [I]0-i pointed to [his]0-i arm , and asked [him]0-i what was the matter with it ; but [he]0-i only answered , very quiet like : ' Broken , [[my]0-i lad]4489-my lad , broken . Not that that 's much , ' [he]0-i says in another tone , speaking to [himself]0-i like , more than to [me]0-i . ' There 's broken hearts as well as broken limbs , and they 're not so easy mended . ' " [I]0-i told [him]0-i [I]0-i could take [him]0-i to [[mother]7130-mother 's cottage]4466-mother 's cottage , and that [he]0-i could dry [his]0-i clothes there and welcome . "[0-i] ' Can [[your]0-i mother]4490-your mother keep a secret ? ' [he]0-i asked . " ' Well , [she]4490-your mother could keep one well enough if [she]4490-your mother could remember it , ' [I]0-i told [him]0-i ; ' but [you]0-i might tell [her]4490-your mother all the secrets of [the Freemasons]362-the freemasons , and [Foresters]8295-foresters , and [Buffalers]8296-buffalers and [Oddfellers]8297-oddfellers as ever was , to - night : and [she]4490-your mother 'd have forgotten all about ['em]8298-'em to - morrow mornin ' . ' "[0-i] [He]0-i seemed satisfied with this , and [he]0-i got [himself]0-i up by holdin ' on to [me]0-i , for it seemed as if [his]0-i limbs was cramped , the use of 'em was almost gone . [I]0-i felt as [he]0-i came agen [me]0-i , that [his]0-i clothes was wet and mucky . " ' [You]0-i have n't been and fell into [the fish - pond]381-the fish - pond , have [you]0-i , [sir]900-sir ? ' [I]0-i asked . "[0-i] [He]0-i made no answer to [my]0-i question ; [he]0-i did n't seem even to have heard it . [I]0-i could see now [he]0-i was standin ' upon [his]0-i feet that [he]0-i was [a tall , fine - made man]4491-a tall , fine - made man , a head and shoulders higher than [me]0-i . " ' Take [me]0-i to [[[your]0-i mother]4490-your mother 's cottage]8302-your mother 's cottage , ' [he]0-i said , ' and get [me]0-i some dry clothes if [you]0-i can ; [I]0-i 'll pay [you]0-i well for [your]0-i trouble . ' "[0-i] [I]0-i knew that the key was mostly left in the wooden gate in [the garden]452-the garden wall , so [I]0-i led [him]0-i that way . [He]0-i could scarcely walk at first , and it was only by leanin ' heavily upon [my]0-i shoulder that [he]0-i managed to get along . [I]0-i got [him]0-i through the gate , leavin ' it unlocked behind [me]0-i , and trustin ' to the chance of that not bein ' noticed by [the under - gardener , who had the care of the key]4493-the under - gardener , who had the care of the key , and was [a careless chap enough]4494-a careless chap enough . [I]0-i took [him]0-i across [the meadows]776-the meadows , and brought [him]0-i up [here]4776-here , still keepin ' away from [the village]5107-the village , and in [the fields]4773-the fields , where there was n't a creature to see [us]4499-us at that time o ' night ; and so [I]0-i got [him]0-i into [the room down - stairs]4500-the room down - stairs , where [mother]7130-mother was a - sittin ' over the fire gettin ' [my]0-i bit o ' supper ready for [me]0-i . " [I]0-i put [the strange chap]8303-the strange chap in a chair agen the fire , and then for the first time [I]0-i had a good look at [him]0-i . [I]0-i never see [anybody in such a state]8304-anybody in such a state before . [He]0-i was all over green damp and muck , and [his]0-i hands was scratched and cut to pieces . [I]0-i got [his]0-i clothes off [him]0-i how [I]0-i could , for [he]0-i was like [a child]4759-a child in [my]0-i hands , and sat starin ' at the fire as helpless as [any baby]8306-any baby ; only givin ' a long heavy sigh now and then , as if [his]0-i heart was a - goin' to bust . At last [he]0-i dropped into a kind of a doze , a stupid sort of sleep , and began to nod over the fire , so [I]0-i ran and got a blanket and wrapped [him]0-i in it , and got [him]0-i to lie down on the press bedstead in [the room under this]8307-the room under this . [I]0-i sent [mother]7130-mother to bed , and [I]0-i sat by the fire and watched [him]0-i , and kep ' the fire up till it was just upon daybreak , when [he]0-i ' woke up all of a sudden with a start , and said [he]4502-he must go , directly this minute . "[0-i] [I]0-i begged [him]4502-he not to think of such a thing and told [him]4502-he [he]4502-he warn't fit to move for ever so long ; but [he]4502-he said [he]4502-he must go , and [he]4502-he got up , and though [he]4502-he staggered like , and at first could hardly stand steady two minutes together , [he]4502-he would n't be beat , and [he]4502-he got [me]0-i to dress [him]4502-he in [his]4502-he clothes as [I]0-i 'd dried and cleaned as well as [I]0-i could while [he]4502-he laid asleep . [I]0-i did manage it at last , but the clothes was awful spoiled , and [he]4502-he looked [a dreadful objeck]4503-a dreadful objeck , with [his]4502-he pale face and a great cut on [his]4502-he forehead that [I]0-i 'd washed and tied up with a handkercher . [He]4502-he could only get [his]4502-he coat on by buttoning it on round [his]4502-he neck , for [he]4502-he could n't put a sleeve upon [his]4502-he broken arm . But [he]4502-he held out agen everything , though [he]4502-he groaned every now and then ; and what with the scratches and bruises on [his]4502-he hands , and the cut upon [his]4502-he forehead , and [his]4502-he stiff limbs and broken arm , [he]4502-he 'd plenty of call to groan ; and by the time it was broad daylight [he]4502-he was dressed and ready to go . " ' What 's [the nearest town to this upon [the [London]3-london road]8310-the london road]8309-the nearest town to this upon the london road ? ' [he]4502-he asked [me]0-i . "[0-i] [I]0-i told [him]4502-he as [the nighest town]4504-the nighest town was [Brentwood]65-brentwood . " ' Very well , then , ' [he]4502-he says , ' if [you]0-i 'll go with [me]0-i to [Brentwood]65-brentwood , and take [me]0-i to [some surgeon]8311-some surgeon as'll set [my]0-i arm , [I]0-i 'll give [you]0-i a five pound note for that and all [your]0-i other trouble . ' "[0-i] [I]0-i told [him]4502-he that [I]0-i was ready and willin ' to do anything as [he]4502-he wanted done ; and asked [him]4502-he if [I]0-i should n't go and see if [I]0-i could borrow [a cart]4505-a cart from [some of [the neighbors]4507-the neighbors]4506-some of the neighbors to drive [him]4502-he over in , for [I]0-i told [him]4502-he it was a good six miles ' walk . " [He]4502-he shook [his]4502-he head . No , no , no , [he]4502-he said , [he]4502-he did n't want [anybody]706-anybody to know anything about [him]4502-he ; [he]4502-he 'd rather walk it . "[0-i] [He]4502-he did walk it ; and [he]4502-he walked like [a good ' un]4508-a good ' un , too ; though [I]0-i know as every step [he]4502-he took o ' [them]4509-them six miles [he]4502-he took in pain ; but [he]4502-he held out as [he]4502-he 'd held out before ; [I]0-i never see such a chap to hold out in all [my]0-i blessed life . [He]4502-he had to stop sometimes and lean agen a gateway to get [his]4502-he breath ; but [he]4502-he held out still , till at last [we]4510-we got into [Brentwood]65-brentwood , and then [he]4502-he says , ' Take [me]0-i to [the nighest surgeon]4511-the nighest surgeon 's , ' and [I]0-i waited while [he]4502-he had [his]4502-he arm set in splints , which took a precious long time . [The surgeon]508-the surgeon wanted [him]4502-he to stay in [Brentwood]65-brentwood till [he]4502-he was better , but [he]4502-he said it warn't to be heard on , [he]4502-he must get up to [London]3-london without a minute 's loss of time ; so [the surgeon]508-the surgeon made [him]4502-he as comfortable as [he]4502-he could , considering and tied up [his]4502-he arm in a sling . " [Robert Audley]173-robert started . A circumstance connected with [his]173-robert visit to [Liverpool]6-liverpool dashed suddenly back upon [his]173-robert memory . [He]173-robert remembered [the clerk who had called [him]173-robert back to say there was a passenger who took [[his]4502-he berth on board [the Victoria Regia]48-the victoria regia within an hour or so of [the vessel]630-the vessel 's sailing]8314-his berth on board the victoria regia within an hour or so of the vessel 's sailing]8313-the clerk who had called him back to say there was a passenger who took his berth on board the victoria regia within an hour or so of the vessel 's sailing ; [a young man with [his]4502-he arm in a sling , who had called [himself]4502-he by some common name , which [Robert]173-robert had forgotten]8316-a young man with his arm in a sling , who had called himself by some common name , which robert had forgotten . "[508-the surgeon] When [his]4502-he arm was dressed , " continued [Luke]167-luke , "[4502-he] [he]4502-he says to [the surgeon]508-the surgeon , ' Can [you]508-the surgeon give [me]0-i a pencil to write something before [I]0-i go away ? ' [The surgeon]508-the surgeon smiles and shakes [his]508-the surgeon head : ' [You]508-the surgeon 'll never be able to write with that there hand to - day , ' [he]508-the surgeon says , pointin ' to the arm as had just been dressed . ' P'raps not , ' [the young chap]4516-the young chap answers , quiet enough , ' but [I]0-i can write with the other , ' ' Ca n't [I]0-i write it for [you]508-the surgeon ? ' says [the surgeon]508-the surgeon . ' No , thank [you]508-the surgeon , ' answers [the other]4907-the other ; ' what [I]0-i 've got to write is private . If [you]508-the surgeon can give [me]0-i a couple of envelopes , [I]0-i 'll be obliged to [you]508-the surgeon . ' " With that [the surgeon]508-the surgeon goes to fetch the envelopes , and [the young chap]4516-the young chap takes a pocket - book out of [his]4516-the young chap coat pocket with [his]4516-the young chap left hand ; the cover was wet and dirty , but the inside was clean enough , and [he]4516-the young chap tears out a couple of leaves and begins to write upon 'em as [you]508-the surgeon see ; and [he]4516-the young chap writes dreadful awk'ard with [his]4516-the young chap left hand , and [he]4516-the young chap writes slow , but [he]4516-the young chap contrives to finish what [you]508-the surgeon see , and then [he]4516-the young chap puts the two bits o ' writin ' into the envelopes as [the surgeon]508-the surgeon brings [him]4516-the young chap , and [he]4516-the young chap seals 'em up , and [he]4516-the young chap puts a pencil cross upon one of 'em , and nothing on the other : and then [he]4516-the young chap pays [the surgeon]508-the surgeon for [his]4516-the young chap trouble , and [the surgeon]508-the surgeon says , ai n't there nothin' more [he]508-the surgeon can do for [him]4516-the young chap , and ca n't [he]508-the surgeon persuade [him]4516-the young chap to stay in [Brentwood]65-brentwood till [his]4516-the young chap arm 's better ; but [he]4520-he says no , no , it ai n't possible ; and then [he]4520-he says to [me]4907-the other , ' Come along o ' [me]4907-the other to [the railway station]541-the railway station , and [I]4907-the other 'll give [you]4907-the other what [I]4907-the other 've promised . ' "[4907-the other] So [I]0-i went to [the station]1271-the station with [him]4520-he . [We]4521-we was in time to catch [the train]1957-the train as stops at [Brentwood]65-brentwood at half after eight , and [we]4521-we had five minutes to spare . So [he]4520-he takes [me]0-i into a corner of [the platform]1421-the platform , and [he]4520-he says , ' [I]0-i wants [you]0-i to deliver these here letters for [me]0-i , ' which [I]0-i told [him]4520-he [I]0-i was willin ' . ' Very well , then , ' [he]4520-he says ; ' look here ; [you]0-i know [Audley Court]1-audley court ? ' ' Yes , ' [I]0-i says , ' [I]0-i ought to , for [[my]0-i sweetheart]4524-my sweetheart lives [[lady]1526-lady 's maid]4526-lady 's maid there . ' ' [Whose lady 's [maid]4528-maid]4527-whose lady 's maid ? ' [he]4520-he says . So [I]0-i tells [him]4520-he , ' [[My]0-i lady]468-my lady 's , [the new lady]4530-the new lady what was governess at [Mr. Dawson]151-mr. dawson 's . ' ' Very well , then , ' [he]4520-he says ; ' this here letter with the cross upon the envelope is for [Lady Audley]150-lady audley , but [you]0-i 're to be sure to give it into [her]150-lady audley own hands ; and remember to take care as [nobody]566-nobody sees [you]0-i give it . ' [I]0-i promises to do this , and [he]4520-he hands [me]0-i the first letter . And then [he]4520-he says , ' Do [you]0-i know [Mr. Audley]173-robert , as is [nevy]363-nevy to [Sir Michael]146-sir michael ? ' and [I]0-i said , ' Yes , [I]0-i 've [heerd]4532-heerd tell on [him]173-robert , and [I]0-i 've [heerd]4532-heerd as [he]173-robert was [a reg'lar swell]4533-a reg'lar swell , but affable and free - spoken ' ( for [I]0-i heerd 'em tell on [you]0-i , [you]0-i know ) , " [Luke]167-luke added , parenthetically . "[4516-the young chap] ' Now look here , ' [the young chap]4516-the young chap says , ' [you]0-i 're to give this other letter to [Mr. Robert Audley]173-robert , whose a - stayin ' at [the Sun Inn]5106-the sun inn , in [the village]5107-the village ; ' and [I]0-i tells [him]4516-the young chap it 's all right , as [I]0-i 've know'd [the Sun]364-the sun ever since [I]0-i was [a baby]4838-a baby . So then [he]4516-the young chap gives [me]0-i the second letter , what 's got nothing wrote upon the envelope , and [he]4516-the young chap gives [me]0-i a five - pound note , accordin ' to promise ; and then [he]4516-the young chap says , ' Good - day , and thank [you]0-i for all [your]0-i trouble,'and [he]4516-the young chap gets into [a second - class carriage]4538-a second - class carriage ; and the last [I]0-i sees of [him]4516-the young chap is a face as white as a sheet of writin ' paper , and a great patch of stickin'-plaster criss - crossed upon [his]4516-the young chap forehead . " "[259-george] [Poor George]259-george ! poor [George]259-george ! " "[259-george] [I]0-i went back to [Audley]150-lady audley , and [I]0-i went straight to [the Sun Inn]5106-the sun inn , and asked for [you]0-i , meanin ' to deliver both letters faithful , so help [me]0-i [God]164-god ! then ; but [the landlord]5144-the landlord told [me]0-i as [you]0-i 'd started off that mornin ' for [London]3-london , and [he]5144-the landlord did n't know when [you]0-i 'd come back , and [he]5144-the landlord did n't know the name o ' [the place where [you]0-i lived in [London]3-london]4541-the place where you lived in london , though [he]5144-the landlord said [he]5144-the landlord thought it was in [one o ' them law courts]4542-one o ' them law courts , such as [Westminster Hall]90-westminster hall or [Doctors ' Commons]4543-doctors ' commons , or somethin' like that . So what was [I]0-i to do ? [I]0-i could n't send a letter by post , not knowin ' where to direct to , and [I]0-i could n't give it into [your]0-i own hands , and [I]0-i 'd been told [partickler]4544-partickler not to let [anybody else]5766-anybody else know of it ; so [I]0-i 'd nothing to do but to wait and see if [you]0-i come back , and bide [my]0-i time for givin ' of it to [you]0-i . " [I]0-i thought [I]0-i 'd go over to [the Court]373-the court in the evenin ' and see [Phoebe]166-phoebe , and find out from [her]166-phoebe when there 'd be a chance of seein ' [[her]166-phoebe lady]7389-her lady , for [I]0-i know'd [she]166-phoebe could manage it if [she]166-phoebe liked . So [I]0-i did n't go to work that day , though [I]0-i ought to ha ' done , and [I]0-i lounged and idled about until it was nigh upon dusk , and then [I]0-i goes down to [the meadows behind [the Court]373-the court]3773-the meadows behind the court , and there [I]0-i finds [Phoebe]166-phoebe sure enough , waitin ' agen the wooden door in the wall , on the lookout for [me]0-i . "[0-i] [I]0-i had n't been talkin ' to [her]4546-she long before [I]0-i see there was somethink wrong with [her]4546-she and [I]0-i told [her]4546-she as much . " Well , ' [she]4546-she says , ' [I]0-i ai n't quite [myself]0-i this evenin ' , for [I]0-i had a upset yesterday , and [I]0-i ai n't got over it yet . ' "[0-i] ' A upset , ' [I]0-i says . ' [You]4546-she had a quarrel with [[your]4546-she missus]4547-your missus , [I]0-i suppose . ' " [She]4546-she did n't answer [me]0-i directly , but [she]4546-she smiled the queerest smile as ever [I]0-i see , and presently [she]4546-she says : "[0-i] No , [Luke]167-luke , it were n't nothin' o ' that kind ; and what 's more , [nobody]566-nobody could be friendlier toward [me]0-i than [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady . [I]0-i think [she]468-my lady 'd do any think for [me]0-i a'most ; and [I]0-i think , whether it was a bit o ' farming stock and furniture or such like , or whether it was the good - will of [a public - house]4807-a public - house , [she]468-my lady would n't refuse [me]0-i anythink as [I]0-i asked [her]468-my lady . ' " [I]468-my lady could n't make out this , for it was only a few days before as [she]468-my lady 'd told [me]468-my lady [her]468-my lady missus was selfish and extravagant , and [we]8327-we might wait a long time before [we]8327-we could get what [we]8327-we wanted from [her]468-my lady . "[468-my lady] So [I]0-i says to [her]468-my lady , ' Why , this is rather sudden like , [Phoebe]166-phoebe ; ' and [she]468-my lady says , ' Yes , it is sudden ; ' and [she]468-my lady smiles again , just the same sort of smile as before . Upon that [I]0-i turns round upon [her]468-my lady sharp , and says : " [I]0-i 'll tell [you]468-my lady what it is , [[my]0-i gal]8328-my gal , [you]468-my lady 're a - keepin ' somethink from [me]0-i ; somethink [you]468-my lady 've been told , or somethink [you]468-my lady 've found out ; and if [you]468-my lady think [you]468-my lady 're a - goin' to try that game on with [me]0-i , [you]468-my lady 'll find [you]468-my lady 're very much mistaken ; and so [I]0-i give [you]468-my lady warnin ' . "[0-i] " But [she]8328-my gal laughed it off like , and says , ' Lor ' [Luke]167-luke , what could have put such fancies into [your]167-luke head ? ' "[0-i] ' Perhaps [other people]1822-other people can keep secrets as well as [you]468-my lady , ' [I]0-i said , ' and perhaps [other people]1822-other people can make [friends]1050-friends as well as [you]468-my lady . There was [a gentleman]4644-a gentleman came here to see [[your]468-my lady missus]4547-your missus yesterday , warn't there — [a tall young gentleman with a brown beard]4556-a tall young gentleman with a brown beard ? ' " Instead of answering of [me]4556-a tall young gentleman with a brown beard like [a Christian]2048-a christian , [[my]4556-a tall young gentleman with a brown beard Cousin]986-my cousin [Phoebe]166-phoebe bursts out a - cryin ' , and wrings [her]166-phoebe hands , and goes on awful , until [I]4556-a tall young gentleman with a brown beard 'm dashed if [I]4556-a tall young gentleman with a brown beard can make out what [she]166-phoebe 's up to . "[4556-a tall young gentleman with a brown beard] But little by little [I]0-i got it out of [her]4547-your missus , for [I]0-i would n't stand no nonsense ; find [she]4547-your missus told [me]0-i how [she]4547-your missus 'd been sittin ' at work at the window of [[her]4547-your missus little room]609-her little room , which was at [the top of [the house]388-the house]610-the top of the house , right up in [one of the gables]4560-one of the gables , and overlooked the lime - walk , and the shrubbery and the well , when [she]4547-your missus see [[my]0-i lady]468-my lady walking with [a strange gentleman]4562-a strange gentleman , and [they]4563-they walked together for a long time , until by - and - by [they]4563-they — " "[4563-they] Stop ! " cried [Robert]173-robert , "[4563-they] [I]0-i know the rest . " "[4563-they] Well , [Phoebe]166-phoebe told [me]0-i all about what [she]4547-your missus see , and [she]4547-your missus told [me]0-i [she]4547-your missus 'd met [[her]4547-your missus lady]7389-her lady almost directly afterward , and somethin' had passed between 'em , not much , but enough to let [[her]4547-your missus missus]4565-her missus know that [the servant what [she]4547-your missus looked down upon]4566-the servant what she looked down upon had found out that as would put [her]4547-your missus in [that servant]4567-that servant 's power to the last day of [her]4547-your missus life . " ' And [she]4547-your missus is in [my]4568-my power , [Luke]167-luke , ' says [Phoebe]166-phoebe ; ' and [she]4547-your missus 'll do anythin ' in [the world]519-the world for [us]8332-us if [we]8332-us keep [her]4547-your missus secret . ' "[4568-my] So [you]4568-my see both [[my]0-i Lady [Audley]150-lady audley]7496-my lady audley and [[her]150-lady audley maid]761-her maid thought as [the gentleman]4994-the gentleman as [I]0-i 'd seen safe off by [the London train]4572-the london train was lying dead at the bottom of the well . If [I]0-i was to give the letter [they]4573-they 'd find out the contrary of this ; and if [I]0-i was to give the letter , [Phoebe]166-phoebe and [me]0-i would lose the chance of gettin ' started in life by [[her]166-phoebe missus]4565-her missus . " So [I]166-phoebe kep ' the letter and kep ' [my]166-phoebe secret , and [[my]166-phoebe lady]468-my lady kep ' [hern]8334-hern . But [I]166-phoebe thought if [she]166-phoebe acted liberal by [me]166-phoebe , and gave [me]166-phoebe the money [I]166-phoebe wanted , free like , [I]166-phoebe 'd tell [her]166-phoebe everythink , and make [her]166-phoebe mind easy . "[166-phoebe] But [she]166-phoebe did n't . Whatever [she]166-phoebe give [me]0-i [she]166-phoebe throwed [me]0-i as if [I]0-i 'd been a dog . Whenever [she]166-phoebe spoke to [me]0-i , [she]166-phoebe spoke as [she]166-phoebe might have spoken to a dog ; and a dog [she]166-phoebe could n't abide the sight of . There was no word in [her]166-phoebe mouth that was too bad for [me]0-i ; there was no toss as [she]166-phoebe could give [her]166-phoebe head that was too proud and scornful for [me]0-i ; and [my]0-i blood b'iled agen [her]166-phoebe , and [I]0-i kep ' [my]0-i secret , and let [her]166-phoebe keep [hern]4575-hern . [I]0-i opened the two letters , and [I]0-i read 'em , but [I]0-i could n't make much sense out of 'em , and [I]0-i hid 'em away ; and not a creature but [me]0-i has seen 'em until this night . " [Luke Marks]167-luke had finished [his]167-luke story , and lay quietly enough , exhausted by having talked so long . [He]167-luke watched [Robert Audley]173-robert 's face , fully expecting some reproof , some grave lecture ; for [he]167-luke had a vague consciousness that [he]167-luke had done wrong . But [Robert]173-robert did not lecture [him]167-luke ; [he]167-luke had no fancy for [an office which [he]167-luke did not think [himself]167-luke fitted to perform]8335-an office which he did not think himself fitted to perform . [Robert Audley]173-robert sat until long after daybreak with [the sick man]6531-the sick man , who fell into a heavy slumber a short time after [he]6531-the sick man had finished [his]6531-the sick man story . [The old woman]524-the old woman had dozed comfortably throughout [[her]524-the old woman son]4404-her son 's confession . [Phoebe]166-phoebe was asleep upon [the press bedstead in [the room below]442-the room below]8339-the press bedstead in the room below ; so [the young barrister]5094-the young barrister was [the only watcher]8342-the only watcher . [He]5094-the young barrister could not sleep ; [he]5094-the young barrister could only think of the story [he]5094-the young barrister had heard . [He]5094-the young barrister could only thank [God]164-god for [[his]5094-the young barrister friend]4909-his friend 's preservation , and pray that [he]5094-the young barrister might be able to go to [Clara Talboys]256-clara talboys , and say , "[4576-your] [[Your]4576-your brother]6374-your brother still lives , and has been found . " [Phoebe]166-phoebe came up - stairs at eight o'clock , ready to take [her]166-phoebe place at [the sick - bed]8344-the sick - bed , and [Robert Audley]173-robert went away , to get a bed at [the Sun Inn]5106-the sun inn . It was nearly dusk when [he]173-robert awoke out of a long dreamless slumber , and dressed [himself]173-robert before dining in [the little sitting - room , in which [he]173-robert and [George]259-george had sat together a few months before]8346-the little sitting - room , in which he and george had sat together a few months before . [The landlord]5144-the landlord waited upon [him]173-robert at dinner , and told [him]173-robert that [Luke Marks]167-luke had died at five o'clock that afternoon . "[6374-your brother] [He]6374-your brother went off rather sudden like , " [the man]634-the man said , "[6374-your brother] but very quiet . " [Robert Audley]173-robert wrote a long letter that evening , addressed to [Madame Taylor]352-madame taylor , care of [Monsieur Val]348-monsieur val , [Villebrumeuse]124-villebrumeuse ; a long letter in which [he]173-robert told [the wretched woman who had borne so many names , and was to bear a false one]8349-the wretched woman who had borne so many names , and was to bear a false one for the rest of [her]4578-her life , the story that [the dying man]8350-the dying man had told [him]173-robert . "[6374-your brother] It may be some comfort to [her]4578-her to hear that [[her]4578-her husband]469-her husband did not perish in [his]469-her husband youth by [her]4578-her wicked hand , " [he]173-robert thought , "[6374-your brother] if [her]4578-her selfish soul can hold any sentiment of pity or sorrow for [others]5097-others . " [Clara Talboys]256-clara talboys returned to [Dorsetshire]76-dorsetshire , to tell [[her]256-clara talboys father]481-her father that [[his]481-her father only son]2318-his only son had sailed for [Australia]11-australia upon the 9th of September , and that it was most probable [he]481-her father yet lived , and would return to claim the forgiveness of [the father]2066-the father [he]481-her father had never very particularly injured ; except in the matter of having made that terrible matrimonial mistake which had exercised so fatal an influence upon [his]481-her father youth . [Mr. Harcourt - Talboys]239-mr. talboys was fairly nonplused . [Junius Brutus]253-junius brutus had never been placed in such a position as this , and seeing no way of getting out of this dilemma by acting after [[his]253-junius brutus favorite model]8354-his favorite model , [Mr. Talboys]239-mr. talboys was fain to be natural for once in [his]239-mr. talboys life , and to confess that [he]239-mr. talboys had suffered much uneasiness and pain of mind about [[his]239-mr. talboys only son]2318-his only son since [his]239-mr. talboys conversation with [Robert Audley]173-robert , and that [he]239-mr. talboys would be heartily glad to take [[his]239-mr. talboys poor boy]8356-his poor boy to [his]239-mr. talboys arms , whenever [he]239-mr. talboys should return to [England]7-england . But when was [he]239-mr. talboys likely to return ? and how was [he]239-mr. talboys to be communicated with ? That was the question . [Robert Audley]173-robert remembered the advertisements which [he]173-robert had caused to be inserted in the [Melbourne]10-melbourne and [Sydney]5-sydney papers . If [George]259-george had re - entered [either city]5911-either city alive , how was it that no notice had ever been taken of that advertisement ? Was it likely that [[his]173-robert friend]4909-his friend would be indifferent to [his]173-robert uneasiness ? But then , again , it was just possible that [George Talboys]157-george had not happened to see this advertisement ; and , as [he]157-george had traveled under a feigned name , neither [[his]157-george fellow passengers]8359-his fellow passengers nor [the captain of [the vessel]630-the vessel]8360-the captain of the vessel would have been able to identify [him]157-george with [the person advertised for]8362-the person advertised for . What was to be done ? Must [they]8359-his fellow passengers wait patiently till [George]157-george grew weary of [his]157-george exile , and returned to [[his]157-george friends who loved [him]157-george]8363-his friends who loved him ? or were there any means to be taken by which [his]157-george return might be hastened ? [Robert Audley]173-robert was at fault ! Perhaps , in the unspeakable relief of mind which [he]173-robert had experienced upon the discovery of [[his]173-robert friend]4909-his friend 's escape , [he]173-robert was unable to look beyond the one fact of that providential preservation . In this state of mind [he]173-robert went down to [Dorsetshire]76-dorsetshire to pay a visit to [Mr. Talboys]157-george , who had given way to a perfect torrent of generous impulses , and had gone so far as to invite [[[his]173-robert son]4957-his son 's friend]8366-his son 's friend to share the prim hospitality of [the square , red brick mansion]8367-the square , red brick mansion . [Mr. Talboys]157-george had only two sentiments upon the subject of [George]157-george 's story ; one was a natural relief and happiness in the thought that [[his]157-george son]4957-his son had been saved , the other was an earnest wish that [[my]6374-your brother lady]468-my lady had been [[his]173-robert wife]554-his wife , and that [he]173-robert might thus have had the pleasure of making a signal example of [her]673-the lady . "[6374-your brother] It is not for [me]0-i to blame [you]4581-you , [Mr. Audley]173-robert , " [he]0-i said , "[4581-you] for having smuggled [this guilty woman]4582-this guilty woman out of the reach of justice , and thus , as [I]0-i may say , paltered with the laws of [[your]4581-you country]4583-your country . [I]0-i can only remark that , had [the lady]673-the lady fallen into [my]0-i hands , [she]673-the lady would have been very differently treated . " It was in the middle of April when [Robert Audley]173-robert found [himself]173-robert once more under those black fir - trees beneath which [his]173-robert wandering thoughts had so often stayed since [his]173-robert first meeting with [Clara Talboys]256-clara talboys . There were primroses and early violets in the hedges now , and the streams , which , upon [his]173-robert first visit , had been hard and frost - bound as the heart of [Harcourt Talboys]239-mr. talboys , had thawed , like [that gentleman]4886-that gentleman , and ran merrily under the blackthorn bushes in the capricious April sunshine . [Robert]173-robert had [a prim bedroom]8372-a prim bedroom , and [an uncompromising dressing - room]8373-an uncompromising dressing - room allotted [him]173-robert in [the square house]8374-the square house , and [he]173-robert woke every morning upon a metallic spring mattress , which always gave [him]173-robert the idea of sleeping upon some musical instrument , to see the sun glaring in upon [him]173-robert through the square , white blinds and lighting up the two lackered urns which adorned the foot of the blue iron bedstead , until they blazed like two tiny brazen lamps of the Roman period . [He]173-robert emulated [Mr. Harcourt Talboys]239-mr. talboys in the matter of shower - baths and cold water , and emerged prim and blue as [that gentleman]4886-that gentleman [himself]173-robert , as the clock in [the hall]804-the hall struck seven , to join [the master of [the house]388-the house]2374-the master of the house in [his]173-robert ante - breakfast constitutional under the fir - trees in [the stiff plantation]8379-the stiff plantation . But there was generally [a third person who assisted in the constitutional promenades]8380-a third person who assisted in the constitutional promenades , and [that third person]8381-that third person was [Clara Talboys]256-clara talboys , who used to walk by [[her]256-clara talboys father]481-her father 's side , more beautiful than the morning — for that was sometimes dull and cloudy , while [she]256-clara talboys was always fresh and bright — in a broad - leaved straw - hat and flapping blue ribbons , one quarter of an inch of which [Mr. Audley]173-robert would have esteemed a prouder decoration than ever adorned a favored creature 's button - hole . At first [they]8383-they were very ceremonious toward [each other]4890-each other , and were only familiar and friendly upon the one subject of [George]157-george 's adventures ; but little by little a pleasant intimacy arose between [them]8383-they , and before the first three weeks of [Robert]173-robert 's visit had elapsed , [Miss Talboys]256-clara talboys made [him]173-robert happy , by taking [him]173-robert seriously in hand and lecturing [him]173-robert on the purposeless life [he]173-robert had led so long , and the little use [he]173-robert had made of the talents and opportunities that had been given to [him]173-robert . How pleasant it was to be lectured by [the woman [he]173-robert loved]8385-the woman he loved ! How pleasant it was to humiliate [himself]173-robert and depreciate [himself]173-robert before [her]8385-the woman he loved ! How delightful it was to get such splendid opportunities of hinting that if [his]173-robert life had been sanctified by an object [he]173-robert might indeed have striven to be something better than [an idle flaneur upon the smooth pathways that have no particular goal]8386-an idle flaneur upon the smooth pathways that have no particular goal ; that , blessed by the ties which would have given a solemn purpose to every hour of [his]173-robert existence , [he]173-robert might indeed have fought the battle earnestly and unflinchingly . [He]173-robert generally wound up with a gloomy insinuation to the effect that it was only likely [he]173-robert would drop quietly over [the edge of [the Temple Gardens]5695-the temple gardens]8387-the edge of the temple gardens some afternoon when [the river]8389-the river was bright and placid in the low sunlight , and [the little children]8390-the little children had gone [home]479-home to [their]8390-the little children tea . "[4585-you] Do [you]4585-you think [I]0-i can read French novels and smoke mild Turkish until [I]0-i am three - score - and - ten , [Miss Talboys]256-clara talboys ? " [he]0-i asked . "[4585-you] Do [you]4585-you think there will not come a day in which [[my]0-i meerschaums]4586-my meerschaums will be foul , and the French novels more than usually stupid , and life altogether such a dismal monotony that [I]0-i shall want to get rid of it somehow or other ? " [I]0-i am sorry to say that while [this hypocritical young barrister]8392-this hypocritical young barrister was holding forth in this despondent way , [he]173-robert had mentally sold up [his]173-robert bachelor possessions , including all [Michel Levy]365-michel levy 's publications , and half a dozen solid silver - mounted meerschaums ; pensioned off [Mrs. Maloney]202-mrs. maloney , and laid out two or three thousand pounds in the purchase of a few acres of verdant shrubbery and sloping lawn , embosomed amid which there should be [a fairy cottage ornée]8393-a fairy cottage ornée , whose rustic casements should glimmer out of bowers of myrtle and clematis to see themselves reflected in the purple bosom of [the lake]8394-the lake . Of course , [Clara Talboys]256-clara talboys was far from discovering the drift of these melancholy lamentations . [She]256-clara talboys recommended [Mr. Audley]173-robert to read hard and think seriously of [his]173-robert profession , and begin life in real earnest . It was a hard , dry sort of existence , perhaps , which [she]256-clara talboys recommended ; a life of serious work and application , in which [he]173-robert should strive to be useful to [his]173-robert fellow - creatures , and win a reputation for [himself]173-robert . "[0-i] [I]0-i 'd do all that , " [he]0-i thought , "[0-i] and do it earnestly , if [I]0-i could be sure of a reward for [my]0-i labor . If [she]4587-she would accept [my]0-i reputation when it was won , and support [me]0-i in the struggle by [her]4587-she beloved companionship . But what if [she]4587-she sends [me]0-i away to fight the battle , and marries [some hulking country squire]4588-some hulking country squire while [my]0-i back is turned ? " Being naturally of a vacillating and dilatory disposition , there is no saying how long [Mr. Audley]173-robert might have kept [his]173-robert secret , fearful to speak and break the charm of that uncertainty which , though not always hopeful , was very seldom quite despairing , had not [he]173-robert been hurried by the impulse of an unguarded moment into a full confession of the truth . [He]173-robert had stayed five weeks at [Grange Heath]83-grange heath , and felt that [he]173-robert could not , in common decency , stay any longer ; so [he]173-robert had packed [his]173-robert portmanteau one pleasant May morning , and had announced [his]173-robert departure . [Mr. Talboys]157-george was not [the sort of man to utter any passionate lamentations at the prospect of losing [[his]157-george guest]8396-his guest]8395-the sort of man to utter any passionate lamentations at the prospect of losing his guest , but [he]157-george expressed [himself]157-george with a cool cordiality which served with [him]157-george as the strongest demonstration of friendship . "[4587-she] [We]4589-we have got on very well together , [Mr. Audley]173-robert , " [he]0-i said , "[173-robert] and [you]173-robert have been pleased to appear sufficiently happy in the quiet routine of [[our]4589-we orderly household]4590-our orderly household ; nay , more , [you]173-robert have conformed to [our]4589-we little domestic regulations in a manner which [I]0-i can not refrain from saying [I]0-i take as an especial compliment to [myself]0-i . " [Robert]173-robert bowed . How thankful [he]173-robert was to the good fortune which had never suffered [him]173-robert to oversleep the signal of the clanging bell , or led [him]173-robert away beyond the ken of clocks at [Mr. Talboys]157-george ' luncheon hour . "[0-i] [I]0-i trust as [we]4589-we have got on so remarkably well together , " [Mr. Talboys]157-george resumed , "[173-robert] [you]173-robert will do [me]0-i the honor of repeating [your]173-robert visit to [Dorsetshire]76-dorsetshire whenever [you]173-robert feel inclined . [You]173-robert will find plenty of sport among [[my]0-i farms]4591-my farms , and [you]173-robert will meet with every politeness and attention from [[my]0-i tenants]4592-my tenants , if [you]173-robert like to bring [your]173-robert gun with [you]173-robert . " [Robert]173-robert responded most heartily to these friendly overtures . [He]173-robert declared that there was no earthly occupation that was more agreeable to [him]173-robert than partridge - shooting , and that [he]173-robert should be only too delighted to avail [himself]173-robert of the privilege so kindly offered to [him]173-robert . [He]173-robert could not help glancing toward [Clara]256-clara talboys as [he]173-robert said this . The perfect lids drooped a little over the brown eyes , and the faintest shadow of a blush illuminated the beautiful face . But this was [the young barrister]5094-the young barrister 's last day in [Elysium]140-elysium , and there must be a dreary interval of days and nights and weeks and months before the first of September would give [him]173-robert an excuse for returning to [Dorsetshire]76-dorsetshire ; a dreary interval which [fresh colored young squires]8398-fresh colored young squires or [fat widowers of eight - and - forty]8399-fat widowers of eight - and - forty , might use to [his]173-robert disadvantage . It was no wonder , therefore , that [he]173-robert contemplated this dismal prospect with moody despair , and was bad company for [Miss Talboys]256-clara talboys that morning . But in the evening after dinner , when the sun was low in [the west]8400-the west , and [Harcourt Talboys]239-mr. talboys closeted in [[his]239-mr. talboys library]8401-his library upon some judicial business with [[his]239-mr. talboys lawyer]8402-his lawyer and [a tenant farmer]8403-a tenant farmer , [Mr. Audley]173-robert grew a little more agreeable . [He]173-robert stood by [Clara]256-clara talboys 's side in one of the long windows of [the drawing - room]467-the drawing - room , watching the shadows deepening in the sky and the rosy light growing every moment rosier as the sun died out . [He]173-robert could not help enjoying that quiet tête - a - tête , though the shadow of the next morning 's express which was to carry [him]173-robert away to [London]3-london loomed darkly across the pathway of [his]173-robert joy . [He]173-robert could not help being happy in [her]256-clara talboys presence ; forgetful of the past , reckless of the future . [They]8405-they talked of the one subject which was always a bond of union between [them]8405-they . [They]8405-they talked of [[her]256-clara talboys lost brother]8157-her lost brother [George]157-george . [She]256-clara talboys spoke of [him]157-george in a very melancholy tone this evening . How could [she]256-clara talboys be otherwise than sad , remembering that if [he]157-george lived — and [she]256-clara talboys was not even sure of that — [he]157-george was [a lonely wanderer far away from all who loved [him]157-george , and carrying the memory of a blighted life wherever [he]157-george went]8407-a lonely wanderer far away from all who loved him , and carrying the memory of a blighted life wherever he went . "[0-i] [I]0-i can not think how [papa]188-papa can be so resigned to [[my]0-i poor brother]3024-my poor brother 's absence , " [she]256-clara talboys said , "[188-papa] for [he]188-papa does love [him]3024-my poor brother , [Mr. Audley]173-robert ; even [you]173-robert must have seen lately that [he]188-papa does love [him]3024-my poor brother . But [I]0-i can not think how [he]3024-my poor brother can so quietly submit to [his]3024-my poor brother absence . If [I]0-i were [a man]445-a man , [I]0-i would go to [Australia]11-australia , and find [him]3024-my poor brother , and bring [him]3024-my poor brother back ; if [he]3024-my poor brother was still to be found among [the living]6022-the living , " [she]256-clara talboys added , in a lower voice . [She]256-clara talboys turned [her]256-clara talboys face away from [Robert]173-robert , and looked out at the darkening sky . [He]0-i laid [his]0-i hand upon [her]256-clara talboys arm . It trembled in spite of [him]0-i , and [his]0-i voice trembled , too , as [he]0-i spoke to [her]256-clara talboys . "[0-i] Shall [I]0-i go to look for [[your]0-i brother]6374-your brother ? " [he]0-i said . "[0-i] [You]0-i ! " [She]256-clara talboys turned [her]256-clara talboys head , and looked at [him]0-i earnestly through [her]256-clara talboys tears . "[0-i] [You]0-i , [Mr. Audley]173-robert ! Do [you]0-i think that [I]0-i could ask [you]0-i to make such a sacrifice for [me]0-i , or for those [I]0-i love ? " "[0-i] And do [you]0-i think , [Clara]256-clara talboys , that [I]0-i should think any sacrifice too great a one if it were made for [you]0-i ? Do [you]0-i think there is any voyage [I]0-i would refuse to take , if [I]0-i knew that [you]0-i would welcome [me]0-i when [I]0-i came [home]479-home , and thank [me]0-i for having served [you]0-i faithfully ? [I]0-i will go from one end of [the continent of [Australia]11-australia]4598-the continent of australia to the other to look for [[your]0-i brother]6374-your brother , if [you]0-i please , [Clara]256-clara talboys ; and will never return alive unless [I]0-i bring [him]6374-your brother with [me]0-i , and will take [my]0-i chance of what reward [you]0-i shall give [me]0-i for [my]0-i labor . " [Her]256-clara talboys head was bent , and it was some moments before [she]256-clara talboys answered [him]0-i . "[0-i] [You]0-i are very good and generous , [Mr. Audley]173-robert , " [she]256-clara talboys said , at last , "[0-i] and [I]0-i feel this offer too much to be able to thank [you]0-i for it . But what [you]0-i speak of could never be . By what right could [I]0-i accept such a sacrifice ? " "[0-i] By the right which makes [me]0-i [[your]0-i bounden slave]4600-your bounden slave forever and ever , whether [you]0-i will or no . By right of the love [I]0-i bear [you]0-i , [Clara]256-clara talboys , " cried [Mr. Audley]173-robert , dropping on [his]0-i knees — rather awkwardly , it must be confessed — and covering a soft little hand , that [he]0-i had found half hidden among the folds of a silken dress , with passionate kisses . "[0-i] [I]0-i love [you]0-i , [Clara]256-clara talboys , " [he]0-i said , "[0-i] [I]0-i love [you]0-i . [You]0-i may call for [[your]0-i father]914-your father , and have [me]0-i turned out of [the house]388-the house this moment , if [you]0-i like ; but [I]0-i shall go on loving [you]0-i all the same ; and [I]0-i shall love [you]0-i forever and ever , whether [you]0-i will or no . " The little hand was drawn away from [his]0-i , but not with a sudden or angry gesture , and it rested for one moment lightly and tremulously upon [his]0-i dark hair . "[256-clara talboys] [Clara]256-clara talboys , [Clara]256-clara talboys ! " [he]0-i murmured , in a low , pleading voice , "[256-clara talboys] shall [I]0-i go to [Australia]11-australia to look for [[your]256-clara talboys brother]6374-your brother ? " There was no answer . [I]0-i do n't know how it is , but there is scarcely anything more delicious than silence in such cases . Every moment of hesitation is a tacit avowal ; every pause is a tender confession . "[0-i] Shall [we]4604-we both go , [dearest]3329-dearest ? Shall [we]4604-we go as [man]990-man and [wife]4607-wife ? Shall [we]4604-we go together , [[my]0-i dear love]3262-my dear love , and bring [[our]4604-we brother]2525-our brother back between [us]4604-we ? " [Mr. Harcourt Talboys]239-mr. talboys , coming into [the lamplit room]8408-the lamplit room a quarter of an hour afterward , found [Robert Audley]173-robert alone , and had to listen to a revelation which very much surprised [him]173-robert . Like [all self - sufficient people]8409-all self - sufficient people , [he]173-robert was tolerably blind to everything that happened under [his]173-robert nose , and [he]173-robert had fully believed that [[his]173-robert own society]8410-his own society , and the Spartan regularity of [[his]173-robert household]8411-his household , had been the attractions which had made [Dorsetshire]76-dorsetshire delightful to [[his]173-robert guest]8396-his guest . [He]173-robert was rather disappointed , therefore ; but [he]173-robert bore [his]173-robert disappointment pretty well , and expressed a placid and rather stoical satisfaction at the turn which affairs had taken . So [Robert Audley]173-robert went back to [London]3-london , to surrender [[his]173-robert chambers in [Figtree Court]14-figtree court]4142-his chambers in figtree court , and to make all due inquiries about [such ships as sailed]8414-such ships as sailed from [Liverpool]6-liverpool for [Sydney]5-sydney in the month of June . [He]173-robert had lingered until after luncheon at [Grange Heath]83-grange heath , and it was in the dusky twilight that [he]173-robert entered [the shady Temple courts]8415-the shady temple courts and found [his]173-robert way to [[his]173-robert chambers]4865-his chambers . [He]173-robert found [Mrs. Maloney]202-mrs. maloney scrubbing the stairs , as was [her]202-mrs. maloney wo nt upon a Saturday evening , and [he]173-robert had to make [his]173-robert way upward amidst an atmosphere of soapy steam , that made the balusters greasy under [his]173-robert touch . "[4610-yer] There 's lots of letters , [yer]4610-yer honor , " [the laundress]1316-the laundress said , as [she]1316-the laundress rose from [her]1316-the laundress knees and flattened [herself]1316-the laundress against the wall to enable [Robert]173-robert to pass [her]1316-the laundress , "[4610-yer] and there 's some parcels , and there 's [a gentleman which has called ever so many times , and is waitin ' to - night]4611-a gentleman which has called ever so many times , and is waitin ' to - night , for [I]0-i towld [him]4611-a gentleman which has called ever so many times , and is waitin ' to - night [you]4610-yer 'd written to [me]0-i to say [[your]4610-yer rooms]4612-your rooms were to be aired . " [He]173-robert opened the door of [[his]173-robert sitting - room]1975-his sitting - room , and walked in . [The canaries]1964-the canaries were singing [their]1964-the canaries farewell to the setting sun , and the faint , yellow light was flickering upon the geranium leaves . [The visitor]396-the visitor , whoever [he]396-the visitor was , sat with [his]396-the visitor back to the window and [his]396-the visitor head bent upon [his]396-the visitor breast . But [he]396-the visitor started up as [Robert Audley]173-robert entered [the room]595-the room , and [the young man]667-the young man uttered a great cry of delight and surprise , and opened [his]173-robert arms to [[his]173-robert lost friend]2029-his lost friend , [George Talboys]157-george . [We]8424-we know how much [Robert]173-robert had to tell . [He]173-robert touched lightly and tenderly upon that subject which [he]173-robert knew was cruelly painful to [[his]173-robert friends]4853-his friends ; [he]173-robert said very little of [the wretched woman who was wearing out the remnant of [her]8426-the wretched woman who was wearing out the remnant of her wicked life in the quiet suburb of the forgotten belgian city wicked life in [the quiet suburb of [the forgotten Belgian city]8428-the forgotten belgian city]8427-the quiet suburb of the forgotten belgian city]8426-the wretched woman who was wearing out the remnant of her wicked life in the quiet suburb of the forgotten belgian city . [George Talboys]157-george spoke very briefly of that sunny seventh of September , upon which [he]157-george had left [[his]157-george friend]4909-his friend sleeping by [the trout stream]1241-the trout stream while [he]157-george went to accuse [[his]157-george false wife]8431-his false wife of that conspiracy which had well nigh broken [his]157-george heart . "[4610-yer] God knows that from the moment in which [I]0-i sunk into [the black pit]4613-the black pit , knowing the treacherous hand that had sent [me]0-i to what might have been [my]0-i death , [my]0-i chief thought was of the safety of [the woman who had betrayed [me]0-i]4614-the woman who had betrayed me . [I]0-i fell upon [my]0-i feet upon a mass of slush and mire , but [my]0-i shoulder was bruised , and [my]0-i arm broken against the side of the well . [I]0-i was stunned and dazed for a few minutes , but [I]0-i roused [myself]0-i by an effort , for [I]0-i felt that the atmosphere [I]0-i breathed was deadly . [I]0-i had [my]0-i Australian experiences to help [me]0-i in [my]0-i peril ; [I]0-i could climb like a cat . [The stones of which [the well]7068-the well was built]4615-the stones of which the well was built were rugged and irregular , and [I]0-i was able to work [my]0-i way upward by planting [my]0-i feet in the interstices of the stones , and resting [my]0-i back at times against the opposite side of the well , helping [myself]0-i as well as [I]0-i could with [my]0-i hands , though one arm was crippled . It was hard work , [Bob]174-bob , and it seems strange that [a man who had long professed [himself]4617-a man who had long professed himself weary of his life weary of [his]4617-a man who had long professed himself weary of his life life]4617-a man who had long professed himself weary of his life , should take so much trouble to preserve it . [I]0-i think [I]0-i must have been working upward of half an hour before [I]0-i got to the top ; [I]0-i know the time seemed an eternity of pain and peril . It was impossible for [me]0-i to leave [the place]385-the place until after dark without being observed , so [I]0-i hid [myself]0-i behind a clump of laurel - bushes , and lay down on the grass faint and exhausted to wait for nightfall . [The man who found [me]0-i there]4619-the man who found me there told [you]174-bob the rest . [Robert]173-robert . " "[173-robert] Yes , [[my]0-i poor old friend.—yes]4620-my poor old friend.—yes , [he]173-robert told [me]0-i all . " [George]157-george had never returned to [Australia]11-australia after all . [He]157-george had gone on board [the Victoria Regia]48-the victoria regia , but had afterward changed [his]157-george berth for one in [another vessel belonging to [the same owners]8433-the same owners]8432-another vessel belonging to the same owners , and had gone to [New York]141-new york , where [he]157-george had stayed as long as [he]157-george could endure the loneliness of an existence which separated [him]157-george from [every friend [he]157-george had ever known]8434-every friend he had ever known . "[173-robert] [Jonathan]310-jonathan was very kind to [me]0-i , [Bob]174-bob , " [he]0-i said ; "[310-jonathan] [I]0-i had enough money to enable [me]0-i to get on pretty well in [my]0-i own quiet way and [I]0-i meant to have started for [the California gold fields]4621-the california gold fields to get more when that was gone . [I]0-i might have made plenty of [friends]1050-friends had [I]0-i pleased , but [I]0-i carried the old bullet in [my]0-i breast ; and what sympathy could [I]0-i have with [men who knew nothing of [my]0-i grief]4623-men who knew nothing of my grief ? [I]0-i yearned for the strong grasp of [your]174-bob hand , [Bob]174-bob ; the friendly touch of the hand which had guided [me]0-i through the darkest passage of [my]0-i life . " Two years have passed since the May twilight in which [Robert]173-robert found [[his]173-robert old friend]4944-his old friend ; and [Mr. Audley]173-robert 's dream of [a fairy cottage]8436-a fairy cottage has been realized between [Teddington Locks]142-teddington locks and [Hampton Bridge]143-hampton bridge , where , amid [a little forest of foliage]8437-a little forest of foliage , there is [a fantastical dwelling place of rustic woodwork]8438-a fantastical dwelling place of rustic woodwork , whose latticed windows look out upon [the river]8389-the river . Here , among the lilies and the rushes on [the sloping bank]8440-the sloping bank , [a brave boy of eight years old]8441-a brave boy of eight years old plays with [a toddling baby]8442-a toddling baby , who peers wonderingly from [[his]8441-a brave boy of eight years old nurse]8443-his nurse 's arms at that other baby in [the purple depth of [the quiet water]8445-the quiet water]8444-the purple depth of the quiet water . [Mr. Audley]173-robert is [a rising man upon the home circuit]8446-a rising man upon the home circuit by this time , and has distinguished [himself]173-robert in the great breach of promise case of [Hobbs v. Nobbs]366-hobbs v. nobbs , and has convulsed [the court]373-the court by [his]173-robert deliciously comic rendering of the faithless [Nobb]367-nobb 's amatory correspondence . [The handsome dark - eyed boy]8448-the handsome dark - eyed boy is [Master George Talboys]157-george , who declines musa at [Eton]21-eton , and fishes for tadpoles in the clear water under the spreading umbrage beyond [the ivied walls of [the academy]8450-the academy]8449-the ivied walls of the academy . But [he]8448-the handsome dark - eyed boy comes very often to [the fairy cottage]8451-the fairy cottage to see [[[his]8448-the handsome dark - eyed boy father]709-his father , who lives there with [[his]709-his father sister]6265-his sister and [[his]709-his father sister 's husband]8455-his sister 's husband]8453-his father , who lives there with his sister and his sister 's husband ; and [he]8448-the handsome dark - eyed boy is very happy with [[his]8448-the handsome dark - eyed boy Uncle]4872-his uncle [Robert]173-robert , [his]8448-the handsome dark - eyed boy Aunt [Clara]256-clara talboys , and [the pretty baby who has just begun to toddle on the smooth lawn that slopes down to [the water]403-the water 's brink , upon which there is [a little Swiss boat - house and landing - stage where [Robert]173-robert and [George]157-george moor [their]8459-a little swiss boat - house and landing - stage where robert and george moor their slender wherries slender wherries]8459-a little swiss boat - house and landing - stage where robert and george moor their slender wherries]8457-the pretty baby who has just begun to toddle on the smooth lawn that slopes down to the water 's brink , upon which there is a little swiss boat - house and landing - stage where robert and george moor their slender wherries . [Other people]1822-other people come to [the cottage near [Teddington]144-teddington]8461-the cottage near teddington . [A bright , merry - hearted girl]8462-a bright , merry - hearted girl , and [a gray - bearded gentleman , who has survived the trouble of [his]8463-a gray - bearded gentleman , who has survived the trouble of his life , and battled with it as a christian should life , and battled with it as [a Christian should]8464-a christian should]8463-a gray - bearded gentleman , who has survived the trouble of his life , and battled with it as a christian should . It is more than a year since a black - edged letter , written upon foreign paper , came to [Robert Audley]173-robert , to announce the death of [a certain [Madame Taylor]352-madame taylor , who had expired peacefully at [Villebrumeuse]124-villebrumeuse , dying after a long illness , which [Monsieur Val]348-monsieur val describes as [a maladie de langueur]8466-a maladie de langueur]8465-a certain madame taylor , who had expired peacefully at villebrumeuse , dying after a long illness , which monsieur val describes as a maladie de langueur . [Another visitor]8467-another visitor comes to [the cottage]5055-the cottage in this bright summer of 1861 — [a frank , generous hearted young man]8469-a frank , generous hearted young man , who tosses [the baby]4729-the baby and plays with [Georgey]187-georgey , and is especially great in the management of [the boats]8471-the boats , which are never idle when [Sir Harry Towers]214-sir harry towers is at [Teddington]144-teddington . There is [a pretty rustic smoking - room]8472-a pretty rustic smoking - room over [the Swiss boat - house]8473-the swiss boat - house , in which [the gentlemen]8474-the gentlemen sit and smoke in the summer evenings , and whence [they]8474-the gentlemen are summoned by [Clara]256-clara talboys and [Alicia]149-alicia to drink tea , and eat strawberries and cream upon [the lawn]5405-the lawn . [Audley Court]1-audley court is shut up , and [a grim old housekeeper]8476-a grim old housekeeper reigns paramount in [the mansion which [[my]4624-the righteous lady]468-my lady 's ringing laughter once made musical]8477-the mansion which my lady 's ringing laughter once made musical . A curtain hangs before the pre - Raphaelite portrait ; and the blue mold which [artists dread]8479-artists dread gathers upon [the Wouvermans]171-wouvermans and [Poussins]275-poussins , [the Cuyps and Tintorettis]8480-the cuyps and tintorettis . [The house]388-the house is often shown to [inquisitive visitors]8482-inquisitive visitors , though [the baronet]465-the baronet is not informed of that fact , and [people]572-people admire [[[my]4624-the righteous lady]468-my lady 's rooms]4811-my lady 's rooms , and ask many questions about [the pretty , fair - haired woman who died abroad]8487-the pretty , fair - haired woman who died abroad . [Sir Michael]146-sir michael has no fancy to return to [the familiar dwelling - place in which [he]146-sir michael once dreamed a brief dream of impossible happiness]8488-the familiar dwelling - place in which he once dreamed a brief dream of impossible happiness . [He]146-sir michael remains in [London]3-london until [Alicia]149-alicia shall be [Lady Towers]218-lady towers , when [he]146-sir michael is to remove to [a house [he]146-sir michael has lately bought in [Hertfordshire]63-hertfordshire]8489-a house he has lately bought in hertfordshire , on the borders of [[[his]146-sir michael son - in - law]5041-his son - in - law 's estate]8491-his son - in - law 's estate . [George Talboys]157-george is very happy with [[his]157-george sister]6265-his sister and [[his]157-george old friend]4944-his old friend . [He]157-george is [a young man]4958-a young man yet , remember , and it is not quite impossible that [he]157-george may , by - and - by , find [some one who will console [him]157-george for the past]8495-some one who will console him for the past . That dark story of the past fades little by little every day , and there may come a time in which the shadow [[my]4624-the righteous lady]468-my lady 's wickedness has cast upon [the young man]667-the young man 's life will utterly vanish away . The meerschaum and the French novels have been presented to [a young Templar with whom [Robert Audley]173-robert had been friendly in [his]173-robert bachelor days]8498-a young templar with whom robert audley had been friendly in his bachelor days ; and [Mrs. Maloney]202-mrs. maloney has a little pension , paid [her]202-mrs. maloney quarterly , for [her]202-mrs. maloney care of the canaries and geraniums . [I]4624-the righteous hope [no one]507-no one will take objection to [my]4624-the righteous story because the end of it leaves [the good people]8500-the good people all happy and at peace . If [my]4624-the righteous experience of life has not been very long , it has at least been manifold ; and [I]4624-the righteous can safely subscribe to that which [a mighty king]8501-a mighty king and [a great philosopher]8502-a great philosopher declared , when [he]4624-the righteous said , that neither the experience of [his]4624-the righteous youth nor of [his]4624-the righteous age had ever shown [him]4624-the righteous "[4624-the righteous] [the righteous]4624-the righteous forsaken , nor [his]4624-the righteous seed begging [their]4625-their bread . "